Tulsi Gabbard announces 2020 presidential run to take on Trump
Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu lawmaker in the US Congress, has said that she is running for the White House in 2020. Gabbard, 37, is the second woman after Senator Elizabeth Warren to enter the presidential race from the Democratic party. More than 12 Democratic leaders are expected to announce their White House run to challenge President Donald Trump in 2020. Here' more.
Will be making formal announcement next week: Gabbard
The 12 Democratic leaders also include Kamala Harris, Indian-origin Senator from California. Gabbard, a four-time Democratic lawmaker in the US House of Representatives from Hawaii, said, "I have decided to run and will be making a formal announcement within the next week."
Will you join me, asks Gabbard in her tweet
If elected, Gabbard will become the youngest, first-ever Hindu President
The Iraq war veteran has become the first-ever Hindu to be running for the presidency in the US. Gabbard, who converted to Hinduism early in her life, is highly popular among Indian-Americans. If elected, she would be the youngest ever and first woman President of the United States. She would also be the first non-Christian and first Hindu to occupy the top post.
However, American political pundits aren't giving Gabbard much chance
However, at this point of time, American political pundits do not give her much chance. Hindus constitute less than 1% of the American population, an overwhelming majority of whom are either from India or are people of Indian-origin. Gabbard, a co-Chair of the powerful House India Caucus, was recently re-elected for the US House of Representatives from Hawaii for the fourth consecutive term.
Democratic party all set to challenge Trump in 2020 elections
Winner of primary elections beginning early 2020 would be nominated by Democratic party in its convention later that summer to challenge the Republican candidate in the November 2020 elections. Trump has announced to seek his re-election. The Democratic primary winner would be pitted against him.
Gabbard listed health-care, criminal justice, climate change as key issues
Gabbard, who supported Senator Bernie Sanders against Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primary, said that there are a lot of reasons for her to take this decision. "There are a lot of challenges that are facing the American people that I'm concerned about and I want to help solve." She listed health care access, criminal justice reform and climate change as key issues.
'War and peace issue is central to the rest'
"There is one main issue that is central to the rest, and that is the issue of war and peace. I look forward to being able to get into this and to talk about it in depth when we make our announcement," Gabbard said.
Ex-VP Joe Biden has also expressed interest in 2020 bid
Former US vice president Joe Biden has also expressed his interest in the 2020 bid. Rania Batrice, who was a deputy campaign manager for Bernie Sanders in 2016, and is now a top aide to Gabbard, will be her campaign manager, CNN reported. The 2020 presidential primary cycle is scheduled to kick off from the Iowa Caucuses on February 3, 2020.
Other Democrats to run in elections include Tim Kaine, Gillibrand
The Iowa Caucuses cycle will be followed by the New Hampshire Primary on February 11, Nevada caucus of February 15 and South Carolina on February 22. Among other Democrats speculated to run for the 2020 primaries include Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Amy Klobuchar and Tim Kaine.
