Democratic strategist Jennifer Holdsworth predicted Friday that most 2020 presidential hopefuls won’t be dropping out of the race anytime soon, saying those who do will most likely wait until late fall.
“I don’ think you’re going to see anybody drop out anytime soon,” Holdsworth, a senior political strategist at MWWPR, told Hill.TV.
“We’re still a couple of months away from a mass exodus,” she added. “You may see one or two drop out simply because they’re tired already and they’re not raising the money, but … I don’t think we’re at the point yet but maybe closer to late fall.”
Holdsworth said there are still some opportunities for candidates to have their own breakout moment in the upcoming Democratic primary debate, citing Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) as a prime example.
“Governor Bullock just made the debate stage this time around — he didn’t last time,” she said. “He’s got an unbelievable compelling message and I think that he could break out.”
The second Democratic primary debate will be held by CNN in Detroit, Michigan on July 30 and 31. Like the first round of debates, each night will feature 10 candidates.
According to a CNN live drawing on Thursday, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) are set to take center stage on the first night. South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg will join them, along with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), former Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas), former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D), former Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.), Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), and author Marianne Williamson.
Bullock will also appear on the first night, marking his first debate appearance after he failed to qualify for the Miami debate.
Biden and Harris will headline the second night on July 31, marking a rematch after the two went head-to-head over the vice president’s civil rights record.
They will be joined by former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro, tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang, Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D), New York Mayor Bill de Blasio (D), and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii).
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) will be taking the debate stage the second night as well.
—Tess Bonn
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