WASHINGTON _ The Senate is emerging as a breeding ground for Democratic challengers to President Donald Trump in the 2020 election, with each contender looking for chances to stand out in the crowd.
Even though their party remains the Senate minority, nearly a dozen Democrats with presidential aspirations will face intense scrutiny in coming months as they maneuver on legislation and nominations _ as well as their battles with Trump.
The top tier of Democratic hopefuls includes a quartet of senators preparing for a campaign with powerful fundraising networks, viral Twitter accounts, and strong ambitions: Kamala Harris of California, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York.
Their appeal could be blunted by nearly-a-senator Beto O'Rourke, whose unsuccessful bid to unseat GOP Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas enthralled the party faithful _ and opened donors' wallets.
Then there's independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the 2016 Democratic primary runner-up who's considering whether to run again and who'll be 79 on Inauguration Day in January 2021. He retains substantial support in early polls and a robust fundraising list.
A group of lesser-known Democrats haven't ruled out a candidacy: Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, and Jeff Merkley of Oregon _ the only senator to endorse Sanders two years ago.
And finally, a current or former Republican senator may decide to challenge Trump, although the president commands such overwhelming support among party voters that he would be hard to stop in a GOP primary.
