The 2020 Presidential Election and Primaries

2020 is a very important election year, and right now we are in the midst of the primaries. Most of the primaries have either been postponed or states have extended deadlines for voting through the mail system as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is still imperative that we continue to pay close attention to current events and the policies of the candidates who we choose to support. This especially pertains to Democrats who still have a choice in the nomination.

The Democratic party started with 28 candidates running for the party, and after the first primaries, there are two remaining candidates left to choose between: Senator Bernie Sanders, and former vice president Joe Biden. Biden, as of now, is the leading democratic candidate with votes from 1,217 delegates while Sanders follows with 914.

Joe Biden is polling well in most states, particularly with older, more moderate Democratic voters as well as in counties with high unemployment rates. Sanders, however, appeals mostly to the youth and more liberal democrats.

Sanders is running predominately on a policy of free college tuition and universal healthcare. His policies are more progressive in nature and align most closely with Elizabeth Warren’s. Biden is more moderate with similar beliefs to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

In terms of diversity, the Democrats started with an incredibly diverse array of candidates with people of color, women, and even the first openly gay man to run for president, Mayor Pete Buttigieg. The remaining candidates, Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden are both older caucasian men who have been involved in politics for decades. Though, if he were elected, Sanders would become the first Jewish president.

If you’re looking for a diverse candidate in any of the other parties, you will be disappointed. Trump is the Republican nominee, currently running unopposed. There is also the Libertarian candidate, Jacob Hornberger who, like Trump, is an older, Caucasian, Christian, man. There is no Green Party candidate and there will not be one until July 2020.

I spoke with several students about their feelings toward the 2020 election, many expressing feelings of disappointment with the current choices of candidates. Maggie Jones (’21) said, “I’m really nervous. I hate men”.

As Vice President of the AGS Young Democrats, I invite those interested to join our club’s conversations Tuesday during lunch. And, if you have any questions, feel free to talk to me or our President, Josie Schoenberg, about anything you may be confused about. We’re always happy to help, and asking questions is especially important in a big election year. For those who can vote, please do. Georgia’s primaries have been postponed to May 19, 2020 (which may change due to developments in the coronavirus outbreak). We need every voice we can get because each one of our opinions matters immensely.

For a quick overview of the democratic candidate’s policies, visit the links copied below:

Biden: https://www.politico.com/2020-election/candidates-views-on-the-issues/joe-biden/

Sanders: https://www.politico.com/2020-election/candidates-views-on-the-issues/bernie-sanders/

Or you can visit their official websites at:

Biden: https://joebiden.com

Sanders: https://berniesanders.com/georgia/?s=GA