Many people wait eagerly for each new political election, investing themselves in all the campaigns, debates and candidates that come along with it. One of the most important and talked-about elections, of course, is the presidential election, and practically since 2016, everybody has been talking about the 2020 presidential election.
Unlike past years, the buzz does not all revolve around male candidates. In fact, several women have expressed their interest in running, inspiring young women around the world who want to have a powerful role in our political system someday.
Ultimately, experts predict that the 2020 election will be a major milestone in U.S. history. Citizens will get to wonder, yet again, if a new or current leader will capture the hearts of their citizens. The election will occur on Nov. 3, 2020, making this the 59th quadrennial U.S. presidential election.
Since the first U.S. presidential election, it’s been a longstanding tradition for male leaders to run, but what female leaders should voters be on the lookout for during the 2020 election? Potential female nominees include: Tulsi Gabbard, Kirsten Gillibrand, Kamala Harris, and Elizabeth Warren.
Here’s the rundown on each of the female nominees.
1. Tulsi Gabbard
Tulsi Gabbard has been a U.S. representative for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District since 2013. Gabbard was born in Leloaloa, America Samoa, but later moved to Hawaii, where she received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Hawaii Pacific University in 2009.
Gabbard co-founded an environmental non-profit called Healthy Hawaii Coalition, which educates children about protecting Hawaii’s environment. In 2002, at the age of 21, she was the youngest person in her state to be elected to the Hawaii State Legislature.
In 2003, she joined the Hawaii Army National Guard, becoming the first state official to step down from public office in order to serve for her state and country.
Some of the key policies that Gabbard wants to further pursue include: affordable housing, finance reform, civil liberties, criminal justice reform, end the war in Syria and women’s rights.
2. Kirsten Gillibrand
Kirsten Gillibrand is a New York native who followed her parents’ example in becoming an attorney. In 1991, she received her law degree from the UCLA School of Law. She has served as a law clerk on the Second Court of Appeals and as a United States senator since January 2009. She was previously a U.S. representative for the New York 20th District from 2007 – 2009.
Beyond her political career, Gillibrand is a 52-year-old wife and mother of two sons. Some of the key issues that she is focusing on include: national security, women’s health, transparency and accountability, agriculture and immigration.
3. Kamala Harris
California native and attorney Kamala Harris has held the position of U.S. senator for California since 2017. She was previously the district attorney of San Francisco from 2004 – 2011, as well as the 32nd attorney general of California from 2011 – 2017. She is 54 years old, a wife, stepmother and a graduate of Howard University and the University of California Hastings College of Law.
A major part of Harris’ mission is to fight for the rights of citizens from all California communities. She has taken part in: co-sponsoring legislation to raise wages for the working class; reforming the criminal justice system; working to make healthcare a right for all Americans; addressing the epidemic of substance abuse; and expanding the accessibility of childcare.
It is likely that Harris will continue to address these important topics if she is elected president.
4. Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren was born and raised in Oklahoma. She has been a U.S. senator for Massachusetts since 2013. She is 69 years old, a mother, grandmother, wife and a graduate of the University of Houston and Rutgers School of Law.
Warren is focusing on many important issues, such as promoting a secure retirement for our nation’s seniors; strengthening employment protection for workers; addressing threats to national security; and making sure every child has access to a good education.
All of these women either had experience as a public official or are currently serving citizens in their selected states. Many of their individual issues overlap, as they are all being mindful of working not only for citizens in their states, but for the people of this country.
Whether male or female, the next president of the United States must set goals and commit to achieving the best outcomes for our country’s citizens. The right to vote allows citizens to have a say in their country’s laws, which affect their lives at school, work and home. Without this privilege, the order of any country would become chaotic. Whether this will be your first, second or tenth time to vote, it will count toward the future of the United States of America.
