OKALOOSA DEMOCRATS

“We cannot be the first generation to leave less to our kids, not more. That’s why I’m running for President. Let’s build opportunity for every American and restore integrity to our government.”

• A moderate Democrat known for seeking compromise. Is best known for being a part of the so-called Gang of Eight, a bipartisan group that crafted a comprehensive immigration reform bill in 2013.
• Announced in early April that he had prostate cancer, but has since had surgery that his staff called “completely successful.”
• Signature Issues: Has called for modernizing the economy in fields like artificial intelligence and increasing infrastructure spending.

Senator from Colorado, 54

“If we give Donald Trump eight years in the White House, he will forever and fundamentally alter the character of this nation, who we are, and I cannot stand by and watch that happen.”

• Has run for President twice before.
• Is among the best-liked figures in the Democratic Party, known for his down-to-earth personality and his ability to connect with working-class voters.
• Regards 2020 as his last chance to run for president.
• Signature Issues: Restoring America’s standing on the global stage; strengthening economic protections for low-income workers in industries like manufacturing and fast food.

Former Vice President; former senator from Delaware, 76

"If you share my belief in opportunity for all and not just for a few, and if you are ready to clean out the Oval Office and get things done, then welcome to Bloomberg 2020."

• Three-term mayor of New York.
• Much of his wealth came from a software system that provides real-time market data to Wall Street firms.
• Plans to self-finance his presidential campaign.

Billionaire businessman and former mayor of New York, 77

“I launched a presidential exploratory committee because it is a season for boldness and it is time to focus on the future."

• Began to draw national notice after delivering an essay that counseled Democrats on how to recover from their defeats in the 2016 elections.
• Has embarked on a long-shot campaign that may test the appeal of a youthful profile over more traditional qualifications.
• Signature Issues: Has stressed his generational identity and called for policies on issues like climate change and economic opportunity.

Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, military veteran, 37

“I think I’m the right person for the job, but not enough people knew who I was or still know who I am.”

• Was elected to the House in 2012 as a “pragmatic idealist,” in his telling.
• Has been running aggressively sine 2017.
• Has already visited every county in Iowa, though it’s unclear if he has improved his long-shot prospects.
• Signature Issues: has pitched himself as a bipartisan problem-solver, but has also endorsed liberal causes like universal health care.

Former congressman from Maryland; former businessman, 56

“There are a lot of challenges that are facing the American people that I’m concerned about and that I want to help solve.”

• Supported Bernie Sanders in the 2016 primaries.
• Has drawn condemnation for meeting with Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, whose regime has been accused of using chemical weapons against civilians.
• Has apologized for her history of anti-gay statements and her past work for an anti-gay advocacy group.
• Signature Issue: opposition to American military intervention overseas, including in countries like Syria.

Congresswoman from Hawaii, Army National Guard veteran, 38.

“It is time to organize, time to galvanize, time to take back our democracy."

• Became a hero to many Democrats for her stern, cool questioning of Brett M. Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearings.
• Has called for Democrats to focus on reclaiming the swing states in the middle of the country.
• Signature Issues: Has championed legislation to combat the opioid crisis and drug addiction, and to address the cost of prescription drugs.

Senator from Minnesota; former Hennepin County, Minn. Attorney, 58

"This race is not just about the character of any one individual, but about the character of the country. This is our chance to reclaim the American Dream.”

• Began his legal career with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, where he worked on death penalty and voting cases.
• Served as the US Assistant Attorney General for the Civil RIghts Division under the Clinton Administration.
• Was the first African American governor of Massachusetts and the second African American to be elected governor in the United States.

Former governor of Massachusetts, 62

“The only way we will win this election and create a government and economy that works for all is with a grassroots movement­­—the likes of which has never been seen in American history.”

• A self-described democratic socialist.
• Was the runner-up in the 2016 Democratic primary.
• Would begin a second White House race with a more extensive organization-in-waiting than any other candidate in the Democratic primary.
• Might face difficulties retaining the level of support he enjoyed in what was effectively a head-to-head race against Hillary Clinton.
• Signature Issues: “Medicare for all,” free college tuition and curtailing the influence of, as he calls them, “the billionaires.”

Senator from Vermont, former congressman, 77

"Corporations and special interests have bought politicians and influenced Washington for too long."

• Founded NextGen, an nonprofit organization that supports progressive causes.
• Founded Beneficial State Bank to provide banking services to underserved businesses in the Bay area.
• Signed on to Bill Gates and Warren Buffet's 'Giving Pledge' in 2010, a commitment to give half of his wealth to charity.

Hedge fund manager and philanthropist, 62

“It’s time for women to go to Washington and fix our broken government, and that includes a woman at the top.”

• Has done some of the most extensive preparations for a presidential run.
• Attempted to dispatch questions about her Native American heritage by releasing the results of a DNA test.
• That effort raised questions about her readiness for a national bid.
• Signature Issues: Income inequality and what she sees as a middle class under attack from big corporations and political corruption.

Senator from Massachusetts; former Harvard professor, 69

“Universal basic income is an old idea, but it’s an old idea that right now is uniquely relevant because of what we’re experiencing in society.”

• Is running a long-shot campaign on a proposal to establish a universal basic income funded by the government.
• Has drawn some media attention for highlighting tech issues like robotics and artificial intelligence.
• Signature Issue: Establishing a universal basic income of $1,000 per month for all Americans.

Former tech executive who founded an economic development nonprofit, 44

“Our economy must benefit working families and small businesses ahead of large corporations. The federal budget should be managing taxpayers’ money to benefit all and not just the few at the top.”

• U.S. Navy veteran who rose from Seaman to Commander in a 26-year active duty career.
• Flew reconnaissance missions in the Cold War, Desert Storm, and post-9/11 operations.
• Provided strategic advice to senior leaders in Washington, London, and NATO.
• Participates in community groups across Northwest Florida devoted to veterans, the environment, civil rights, civic engagement, small business, and the Democratic Party.

Retired Naval Flight Officer