“I am not a candidate who wants to divide the country further, there will be candidates who will run on this notion of it’s us versus them, and I don’t believe that.”

Photo of John Delaney

John Delaney

Retired businessman and financier

John Delaney is a political moderate willing to reach across the aisle. He says his main focus is on bringing the nation together. “I am not a candidate who wants to divide the country further, there will be candidates who will run on this notion of it’s us versus them, and I don’t believe that,” he said.

Accomplishments: A graduate of Columbia University and Georgetown University’s law school, Delaney went on to be a highly successful banking entrepreneur. He was the U.S. House member from Maryland’s 6th congressional district from 2013 through 2018, before launching his campaign for president.

Foreign policy: Delaney has said that getting out of Syria should be the ultimate goal, but that “it needs to be done in a way that accomplishes our goals in the region.” Those include “permanently defeating ISIS, assuring that the Syrian Democratic Forces aren’t attacked by Turkey, and that there remains a check on Iran in the region.”

What sets him apart: While serving in the House, Delaney was one of its wealthiest members, with an estimated net worth of roughly $90 million. He was the first person to announce his candidacy for president in July 2018 and has already visited all 99 counties in Iowa, where the first-in-the-nation caucuses launch the presidential primary season.

Platform: He would seek bipartisan support for existing legislation, including criminal justice reform, new infrastructure, and expanded tax credits for low- income Americans. While he doesn’t favor construction of a wall along the southwest border, he would be willing to compromise with President Donald Trump in order to gain protections for undocumented immigrants. Also favors universal pre-kindergarten, free community college and a universal health care system.