Democratic Party Presidential Primaries, 2046-48

The Democratic Party Presidential Primary, 2046-48, was an electoral contest to determine the party's Presidential nominee. The election took place across in the form of an "open convention" between a range of candidates so that the party nominee for the 2048 Presidential Election may be decided. These contests took place during the first term of the Nelson Rockefeller Administration, of which some candidates served in.

Signups were held in 2046, with the primary season expected to continue for a lengthy period. Robert Lambermont was named as Primary Director.

## Candidates

### William Warren

William Warren was previously the tenth President of the United States, and the second from the Democratic Party, after the impeachment of Kyle Kulinski. Warren was also serving as the Democratic Party Chairman, and was for a period the only Democratic Senator. Prior to this, Warren had also served as Secretary of Transportation under Gavin Sky.

Warren had previously stated that he would sit this election out. However, he decided to run, largely due to pressure from his colleagues and the open field for the nomination. After the Democratic Party held its first debate, Warren was seen as a frontrunner due to his performance, with post-debate polls indicating a clear victory. Warren also received several high-profile endorsements for the nomination.

**Endorsements**

* Gavin Sky, 8th President of the United States.
* John Bernard, who had previously served as Vice President as part of the Warren administration.
* Andrew Sinclair, incumbent Governor of Hawaii.
* Eugene Debs, former House Minority Leader, incumbent D1 Senator, former DNC Chairperson
* John Dudley, incumbent Governor of Texas, former Senator and former Representative.
* Landon Goldwater, incumbent D9 Senator and Senate Majority Leader
* Angela Merkel, Secretary of Education.
* Angela Merkel, Secretary of Education.

### Kurt Greyson

Kurt Greyson was at the time of his declaration the incumbent D15 Senator, and had previously served as a 4xRepresentative. Greyson has also served as the official AGS Historian, and Secretary of Health and Human Services. He is perhaps best known for his hardline leftwing views, however he opted to run on a more moderate platform.

Greyson had previously run for President in 2036, and it was not seen as a surprise when he announced his candidacy. In the first Democratic debate, he is said to have performed well, with most people who did not believe Warren won the debate choosing Greyson as the winner. He is seen as likely to do well, and has attracted a lot of support from members of the 'ASS Caucus,' the main far-left caucus in the Democratic Party.

**Endorsements**

* John McCain, incumbent Vice President of the United States. (ineligible to vote)
* Martin Luther King, Ambassador to France.
* Bill Castro, former D9 Representative who at the time was running for D13 Senate. (ineligible to vote)
* John McCauly, incumbent D8 Representative and House Minority Whip.

### Sean Clarke

Sean Clarke, who had previously endorsed Benjamin Crawford for the nomination, declared his candidacy after many other candidates. At the time he was one of three Democratic Senators. A former Republican, he is seen as the Blue Dog candidate in the race. He is also known for creating the very wiki you are reading.

Clarke is seen as a well-liked and respected candidate, and gave a strong debate perfomance, although contributed to the large background noise. His campaign was described as having 'stuck to the facts.' Whilst Clarke is an undoubtedly popular candidate, his levels of support are unclear due to a lack of tagged endorsements.

### Jon Yeltnas

Jon Yeltnas was the Secretary of Labour at the time of his declaration and a minor candidate in the race. Despite a lack of status, he came out as an alternative candidate, partly because he wasn't gay.

Yeltnas has campaigned steadily for the nomination, although blundered when he pulled off an inaudible debate performance. He has not received many high profile endorsements. He was, however, praised for including a Bible verse in his platform, in stark contrast to the atheism of other candidates, such as Kurt Greyson.

## Candidates who withdrew before the Primary (in progress)

### Elizabeth Harper *(Withdrew August 21st, 2017)*

Elizabeth Harper was the then Attorney General under Rockefeller. Harper is one of the old stock members of AGS and has held several positions.

One of the later declarations, Harper has not properly started campaigning. She has received little support, with AGS POINT believing this is due to the fact she 'sucks ass.' She was not present at the debate. Despite this, some see her as a potential dark horse in the race.

### Angelia Finn *(Withdrew August 18th, 2017)*

Angelia Finn was one of the first candidates to declare their candidacy. At the time she was serving as Surgeon General in the Rockefeller Administration. She has attracted significant attention despite not being seen as a frontrunner.

Finn attracted surprisingly high levels of support, largely among new members. Prior to her declaration she had succeeded Thaddeus as Mayor of DC, which was seen by some as a baseline to her support. Due to what Andrew Sinclair described as 'low expectations' her debate performance was seen as better than expected. Despite this, AGS Point gave her a rating of an 'F.'

Finn's bullying was also a cause of former candidate Louise Gardner's departure.

**Endorsements**

* Louise Gardner, incumbent Secretary of Energy
* Lionel Ruby, incumbent Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
* Anthony Howard, former Iowa Governor and nominee for Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services.
* Caroline Lucas, incumbent Governor of New Hampshire and incumbent Administrator of the EPA. Chief of Staff to the Finn Campaign and former Deputy Mayor of DC under Finn. Previously said she would support Sam Beesley if he were to run.
* Donivan Tighe, Homeland Security Advisor

Finn was one of two candidates who former President Kulinski refused to endorse.

### Mark Callaghan *(Withdrew August 6th, 2017)*

Mark Callaghan is a former Senator and the only Australian in the race. Having dropped out of his D11 House Race, Callaghan retired to focus on real life, before running for President. Callaghan was the first candidate to be revealed as running after Goldberg dropped out.

Callaghan has been often attacked during the race, firstly by Dylan Goldberg who attacked for a wide range of issues, followed by the revealing of a direct message by fellow candidate Michael Vanderlinde. He also was not present at the debate, but is believed to be gaining traction. He previously was a contender for the Democratic nomination in 2044, but failed to gain significant traction, doing undoubtedly better this cycle. Callaghan was one of two candidates who Kyle Kulinski refused to support.

Callaghan can be said to have the most equally spread support base, but despite this dropped out before the start.

**Endorsements**

* Tyler Schumer, Former Governor of Rhode Island, D2 House candidate and incumbent Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
* Jack Layton, former Senator and Vice Chair of the Democratic Party

### Benjamin Crawford *(Withdrew August 2nd, 2017)*

Benjamin Crawford, one of the most high-profile candidates and former Governor of North Carolina declared his candidacy but dropped out. He received large amounts of support including that of Kyle Kulinski, although was subject to heavy attacks over his departure for TPON, his inexperienceand his former House Race. He also had smaller rows with Nick Hamilton and Nelson Rockefeller.

Endorsements:

* Dick Bremer, incumbent Secretary of Veterans Affiars
* Kyle Kulinski, 9th President of the United States
* Charles Rex, LP Recruitment Chair and candidate for D9 House (ineligible to vote)

### Louise Gardner *(withdrew July 31st, 2017)*

Louise Gardner is the incumbent Secretary of Energy. Running for President was her first high profile candidacy, but she is best known for her work on energy policy.

Secretary Gardner entered the race on a Democratic conservative platform. While at first forming an exploratory committee, she finally entered the race. At first she was considered an underdog of the race, but at the time of her entrance many had already pledged support for other candidates. Her movement gained little support and she soon dropped from the race in order to return to work, and later endorsed Finn for the Presidency.

**Pledged Supporters**

* Kara Harris, White House Press Secretary (personal endorsement)
* Gary Hewerd, incumbent D4 Representative (previously endorsed Beesley)

### Sam Beesley *(Withdrew in Late July 2017)*

Sam Beesley was the Secretary of Health and Human Services after being appointed this position due to his departure from the House. His campaign did attract some support, but Beesley dropped out, citing his desire not to run against Nelson Rockefeller and his belief that it wasn't his moment. He has since stated that if he won that Thaddeus would've been his running mate.

**Pledged Supporters**

* Gary Hewerd, incumbent D4 Representative
* Jerry Jeudy, incumbent Secretary of the Interior
* Joe Ryder, Governor of Ohio
* Nate Vanderbilt, Governor of Maryland
* Caroline Lucas, Finn Chief of Staff
* Jack Riley (died before campaign began)

## Results

 Kurt Greyson
 Sean Clarke
 Others