Maryland Rep. John Delaney Announces 2020 Presidential Run

WASHINGTON, DC — Before the starting pistol is even loaded, the 2020 presidential race has already begun. First to the starting line on the Democratic side is Maryland Rep. John Delaney, who announced his intention to seek the Oval Office Friday in a piece for the Washington Post.

Why is he announcing so early? Delaney doesn't say, but it might have something to do with the fact that he is relatively unknown on the national stage. One way to stand out in a potentially crowded primary is to announce your candidacy before — long before — anyone is expecting it. (For more information on this and other political stories, subscribe to the White House Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

His apparent platform probably won't shock anyone. Fostering business and technology, strengthening the social safety net and investing in infrastructure are all standard political fare, and Delaney throws in vague calls for "reforming" education, health care and immigration. He rounds it out by appealing to his own blue-collar upbringing.

While many may question the decision to announce so early — does he really want to campaign for more than three years? — it's hardly out of bounds at this point. With the sitting president holding campaign-style rallies frequently, it may seem as though the last presidential race has never ended. We might as well get started with the next one.

The district includes Germantown and Gaithersburg in Montgomery County, Frederick, Hagerstown and the far-west Maryland counties of Allegany, Garrett and Washington.

Read Delaney's full opinion piece at the Washington Post>>

Photo: Jason Furman (R), chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, greets (L-R) Co-Chairman Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX), Co-Chairwoman Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. John Delaney (D-MD) and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). Credit: T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images