With the high-stakes 2018 midterm elections nearly over, the race for the 2020 general election is on the horizon. For Democrats, this means that the anticipated wide-field of candidates who wish to see President Trump out of the White House will begin to announce their bids for the presidency.
An unexpected contender within the Democratic field, Senator Bob Casey Jr., hinted at a potential bid for the White House in 2020. Fresh off of a win in his third bid for the United States Senate, Casey is popular in Pennsylvania, mostly due to the glowing legacy of his father, the late Governor Bob Casey Sr. When a northeast Pennsylvania news station asked Casey for his thoughts on a presidential run, he did not rule out a run for the White House:
“...We have to make sure the nominee of the Democratic Party wins Pennsylvania, because you cannot get elected president if you cannot win Pennsylvania. I've shown I can do that. I've won by an average of 13 points over three elections, so it's something I'm considering."
Pennsylvania was a crucial win for President Trump in the 2016 general election, and will likely be a contentious swing state in 2020, but that will not be enough fuel to push Senator Casey over the Democratic nomination finish-line.
With a nearly blank legislative record, and few accomplishments in the Senate, Casey would be a weak candidate to challenge President Trump; the President famously nicknamed Casey ‘Sleepin’ Bob,’ in reference to his dismal legislative resume.
The field of Democratic candidates in 2020 is likely to be large and diverse, with no defined frontrunner to face President Trump.