UPDATE: Julian Castro qualified with the needed donors and polls to guarantee a spot in the debates.
As of this morning, 21 people have entered the Democratic primary field for the 2020 presidential run. The DNC will hold its first debates this summer but only allow 20 candidates to participate. Additionally, candidates must meet one of two DNC requirements to get on the debate stage.
Seventeen of the 21 are currently qualified to take a podium during the two-night debates in Miami on June 26 and 27.
Ten candidates have already met both thresholds and are assured a spot if more than 20 qualify. However, a handful of contenders are still struggling to meet the debate requirements.
According to this press report, before joining in a debate, candidates must either:
- receive donations from 65,000 people, including 200 donors each in 20 states.
- register 1 percent support in three polls. (Only polls from a preset list of organizations are accepted.)
In the event that more than 20 candidates qualify, then the DNC will winnow out the excess based on those who met both requirements (polling and donors). If that doesn’t break the tie, then polling averages and lastly, number of donors will be counted.
CURRENTLY QUALIFIED FOR DEBATE
Based on Polls and Donors:
- Joe Biden
- Pete Buttigieg
- Julian Castro
- Tulsi Gabbard
- Kamala Harris
- Amy Klobuchar
- Beto O’Rourke
- Bernie Sanders
- Elizabeth Warren
- Andrew Yang
Based on Polls:
- Cory Booker
- Kirsten Gillibrand
- Jay Inslee
- John Hickenlooper
- John Delaney
- Tim Ryan
- Eric Swalwell
CURRENTLY NOT QUALIFIED FOR DEBATE
- Michael Bennett
- Wayne Messam
- Seth Moulton
- Marianne Williamson
