*See our full list of 20202 Democrats here*
Quick Facts
Who: Andrew Yang
Where: Schenectady, NY
Current position: Ambassador of Global Entrepreneurship
Campaign Website: yang2020.com
Background: Andrew Yang graduated Columbia Law School in 1999. He began his career as a corporate attorney at Davis Polk & Hardwell.
2020 Campaign & Endorsements
Date Announced: November 6, 2017
Fundraising: $1.7 million in first quarter
Campaign Leadership: Zach Graumann
Key Endorsements:
Political Positions
- Health care: Yang is in favor of socialist Medicare For All. In regards to abortion, he thinks that state laws regarding the legalization of the process should be handled by a board of doctors rather than legislators. Uniquely among his fellow candidates, Yang has proposed ways to decrease the amount of abortions in the country, saying that contraceptives and financial support to impoverished pregnant women should be provided.
- Immigration: Supports the DREAM Act. Yang has conceded that the Southern border needs more security, but has offered no specific alternatives to the president's border wall.
- Economy: Yang has voiced plans to institute a carbon tax on fossil fuel gasoline. He has also proposed a Value-Added Tax. Yang has mentioned the institution of a new capitalist philosophy which he says will be geared towards "maximizing human well-being and fulfillment." However, he hasn't provided any details as to how this would be legally integrated into the market. Finally, Yang wants to institute a universal basic income for every adult over 18.
- Criminal Justice: Yang believes that minorities are unfairly targeted by police and has proposed assigning every officer a body cam to aid in investigations.
- Gun Control: Yang has proposed holding gun manufacturers responsible for mass shootings by charging them $1 million per person killed in a public setting. He also wants to raise the legal age of gun ownership from 18 to 21.
- Other: Yang wants to make the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico an official state. He plans to initiate the American Journalism Fellows, "through which reporters from each state nominated by a body of industry professions... will be give a 4-year grant of $400,000... and stationed at a local news organization with the condition that they report on issues relevant to the district during the period of their Fellowship."
This piece is part of our Election 2020 series. See below for more information on the most talked about Democrats challenging President Trump.