Kamala Harris, US Senator from California, is competing for the top spot on CNN’s ranking of potential 2020 presidential candidates for the Democratic Party in the United States. Harris, who was listed as Number 1 on December 13, 2018, was facing strong competition from Texas Beto O’Rourke by Saturday, December 15, 2018, in an illustration of just how fluid the situation is. Harris has an edge at the moment as O’Rourke has not stated definitely whether he is seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination. CNN has now placed Harris in the top spot for two months in a row. Senator Harris appears to be making methodical moves toward a presidential run, and her profile as an Indian-America and African-America woman – her father is from Jamaica and her mother is from India – with a background in law-and-order makes her especially suited for 2020 Democratic voters. The biggest challenge for Harris is that she has yet to appear on a stage as larges as the national and international one she will face when she announces that she is running for president.

Characterizing Beto O’Rourke as “the flavor of the moment,” CNN’s Chris Cillizza says that as the reality of the largest presidential field in modern history amps up, O’Rourke seems to be everywhere, including meeting with former President Barack Obama. O’Rourke has the talent to generate excitement wherever he goes and is being encouraged to run by activists in the Democratic base. O’Rourke recently ran to replace Texas Senator Ted Cruz in the mid-term elections but lost to the Republican incumbent.

Other potential Democratic presidential candidates and their CNN rankings as of December 15, 2018, include: Joe Biden at Number 3; Cory Booker at Number 4; Elizabeth Warren, Number 5; Bernie Sanders, Number 6; Amy Klobuchar, Number 7; Sherrod Brown, Number 8; Julian Castro, Number 9; and Kirsten Gillibrand, Number 10.

Source: CNN website