Democrats add Whitmer, Shapiro to a growing roster of ‘Plan B’ candidates for 2024 White House hopefuls form a’shadow Cabinet’ for Israel in White House race MORE on Monday as they begin a new push to boost their 2020 presidential ambitions.
The former lawmakers, who have not yet announced any primary challengers, are part of a growing group of Democrats seeking the party’s presidential nomination or at least some role in their party’s high-profile presidential debates in June and July.
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The effort comes ahead of the opening of the first Democrat debate, scheduled for June 26 at Washington University in St. Louis, and the debut of the Democratic National Committee’s marquee presidential primary debates as well as the first of a three-night “unity” debate that will happen July 30.
The candidates could use their debate appearances to boost their presidential prospects in the 2020 cycle, where Democrats are defending 24 seats in the U.S. House and are eyeing wins in governors’ mansions across the country.
There are nearly two dozen Democratic presidential candidates vying for their party’s nomination, with several of their names floated in internal polls and potential primary challenges from within their own caucus and primary campaigns.
On Monday, the former lawmakers met with top Democrats in Washington, D.C., including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It ‘isn’t worth the paper it’s signed on’ On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline Trump signs largely symbolic pre-existing conditions order amid lawsuit MORE (D-Calif.), Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It ‘isn’t worth the paper it’s signed on’ 3 reasons why Biden is misreading