WITHDRAWN: December 2, 2019

Steve Bullock, a two-term governor in the conservative state of Montana, in announcing his candidacy, casts himself as a bipartisan leader who doesn’t “have the luxury of just talking to people who agree with me.” He has expanded health care and early childhood education as well as worked on issues such as wage equality and campaign finance reform.

Accomplishments: After graduating from Claremont McKenna College and Columbia University Law School, Bullock worked as a lawyer in Montana for most of his career, including starting his own law practice and serving as attorney general of Montana for four years. He won the governor’s race in 2012 and is now serving his second term in office. In 2018, he was elected to lead the National Governors Association, a move many saw as an attempt to increase his national standing.

Foreign policy: In 2015, Governor Bullock supported allowing some Syrian refugees to resettle in Montana, despite criticism from Republican state legislators. In 2018, Bullock said his state would not deploy National Guard troops from Montana to the U.S.-Mexico border after President Donald Trump authorized the use of National Guard troops to fight against illegal immigration. The Trump administration asked several southern border states to contribute guard troops to the effort, but Montana – which is on the northern U.S. border – did not receive a request.

What sets him apart: Bullock said in a video posted on his social media that he is “the only Democratic contender who won a Trump state.” Bullock was re-elected as governor of Montana in 2016 by about 4 points, even though Donald Trump beat Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton at the same time by 20 points. Bullock has worked to build a reputation as both a liberal and as someone who can work across the aisle with Republicans on more moderate issues. He has cut some government spending in Montana, which conservatives favor, while also enacting liberal policies, including expending health insurance for the poor and raising the minimum wage.

Platform: Bullock supports abortion rights and sex-same marriage as well as advocates for campaign finance reform, greater education funding and environmental protections.