The Democratic field is shaping up as one of the largest and most diverse groups in history, featuring a half-dozen women and minority candidates with a range of experience in both government and the private sector. Some of the candidates are already well-known while others will face the challenge of building a national profile.
The various contenders will compete to see who can meet the party’s desire for a strong challenger to take on President Donald Trump, a Republican, while also promoting a progressive agenda on economic and environmental issues, a focus that could tug the party further to the left next year.
* Candidates who have suspended their campaigns
Bill de Blasio, Kirsten Gillibrand, John Hickenlooper, Jay Inslee, Wayne Messam, Seth Moulton, Beto O'Rourke, Tim Ryan, Eric Swalwell