The Democratic Party is looking at its members in the Senate for 2020's presidential candidates, partly due to the depleted ranks of Democratic state governors, according to The Hill.
Only 16 states have governors who are Democrats, but lawmakers and strategists told The Hill that the Senate contains a number of possibilities, such as Massachussetts' Elizabeth Warren, New Jersey's Cory Booker, Ohio's Sherrod Brown, Connecticut's Chris Murphy, New York's Kirsten Gillibrand, and Minnesota's Amy Klobuchar.
California's incoming Sen. Kamala Harris, as well as Hillary Clinton's former running mate, Virginia's Tim Kaine, are also possibilities, The Hill reports.
"Elizabeth Warren would be at the top of my list," said Mike Lux, a Democratic strategist. "I think she would be a great candidate. We don't have very many governors left, honestly… I'm sure there are some, but they aren't at the top of my radar screen."
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was at one time under consideration, but bribery charges against members of his administration have made that less likely, The Hill notes.
Governors from both parties have found White House success, including Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. The Hill noted that governors are able to point to their experience with budgets and leadership. Senators have had a tougher road to the White House—President Barack Obama was the first sitting senator to win the job since Sen. John F. Kennedy in 1960.
Senators will be leading the charge against incoming president Donald Trump's administration and Warren and Gillibrand are already waging some of those battles, according to The Hill.
Warren has urged Trump to withdraw the attorney general nomination of Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions and Gillibrand objected to a possible waiver that would allow Trump's defense secretary choice, retired Marine Gen. James Mattis, to serve in that role.
Some lawmakers appear unwilling to head down that path just yet, in the wake of the presidential election, according the website.
"It's way too soon for that kind of speculation. We haven't even sworn in the next president," said Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois.
Warren is 67-years-old, but has only been in national politics since her arrival in the Senate in 2013. Other Democrats on the list are in their 40s and 50s, The Hill notes.
Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz said it's time for the next generation of Democratic leaders. "There are a number of my colleagues in the Senate who have great progressive credentials and the ability to appeal to millennials," he said, according to The Hhi
Schatz added, "I feel very strongly if we want to inspire young people to be part of the winning Democratic coalition, you need to present them with some new talent and new leadership."
Current Democrat leaders appear ready to move away from the front lines. Vice President Joe Biden, 74, appeared to be joking when he said he would run in 2020.
First Lady Michelle Obama has not expressed any interest in entering politics, although a Washington Times report cited oddsmakers saying she would be the Democrats' best chance at winning the presidency in 2020.