Amy Klobuchar’s 2020 presidential campaign

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat with a reputation for pragmatism, is running for president in 2020. She officially announced her bid for the Democratic Party nomination Sunday, February 10, and there are reasons to consider her a serious contender.

In her 12 years as a senator, Klobuchar has cultivated a public persona as the quick-witted, hardworking pragmatist: the “senator next door.” She’s hugely popular among her constituents, but she’s heading into what will undoubtedly be one of the most competitive Democratic presidential primaries in a generation without much name recognition.

While other 2020 contenders are highlighting their progressive records on things like Medicare-for-all, tuition-free college, and a $15 minimum wage, Klobuchar is notably quiet on these issues. She’s earned a reputation as a moderate and made a career of keeping out of the fights that will likely dominate the 2020 Democratic primary. She’s also made headlines recently for her alleged mistreatment of staff — something that’s dogged her for years.