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US elections 2020

Who ran for president? The full list of 2020 candidates

The final Democratic candidate has been chosen and will face Donald Trump in the 2020 race for the White House

Illustrations by Alberto Miranda

In 2020, Democratic voters faced a crucial choice: who should be the candidate to take on Trump in the November election? From consensus-minded-pragmatists in the party's moderate lane, to a Democratic socialist, the contenders put forward a wide range of visions for the future of their party, and country.

At its peak, more than 24 Democratic presidential candidates were competing. Stretched over four decades in age, the field also featured an historic number of women and included multiple African Americans, at least one Latino, a gay navy veteran, a Hindu – and a vegan. But as the field has narrowed, it has become less and less diverse. By contrast, only a handful of Republicans jumped in the race to challenge Trump for the nomination. The odds – and history – were against these candidates from the start, as they tried to unseat a president their party holds in high regard.

Trump, all but assured to win the nomination, has already begun taunting former vice president Joe Biden, setting the stage for a wild, unpredictable, rough-and-tumble election season.

Democrats

Republicans

Who dropped out?

Who are they?

Joe Biden Former vice-president

A former vice president of the United States and a seven-term senator from Delaware, Biden has cast himself as “most qualified” candidate to be president. Despite a life marked by personal tragedy, Biden is adored by some Democrats - and some Republicans - as the affable, blue-collar “Uncle Joe”. But his decades-long record may pose vulnerabilities in a modern and more liberal Democratic Party. Biden has run for president twice, will a third time be the charm?

Donald Trump President

In 2016, Donald Trump pulled off one of the most stunning political upsets in modern American history when he won the presidency, even as he lost the popular vote. As president, Trump has continued to shatter norms at every turn by stoking fear and resentment with his combustible brand of grievance politics. With a penchant for Twitter tirades and searing racial attacks, the 45th president of the United States is unpopular and divisive but continues to inspire deep and abiding loyalty from his base of supporters. As he seeks a second term, Trump is under siege on all fronts amid a rapidly unfolding impeachment inquiry. Have four years of Trump left Americans yearning for change – or eager to deliver a second shock to the system?

Data sourced by Sam Morris and Erum Salam.