Who would have run in the GOP Primary in 2020 if Hillary had won?

[Samof94]

In a universe where Hillary had won, who would run in 2020?

[Blue3]

Probably similar to the 2016 list, assuming Trump was still the nominee in 2016. Basically the entire GOP establishment was against Trump in '16 and wrote him off after the Access Hollywood tape, so he'd just be used as a scapegoat and we'd see Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Chris Christie, etc. give it another go.

[Samof94]

Probably similar to the 2016 list, assuming Trump was still the nominee in 2016. Basically the entire GOP establishment was against Trump in '16 and wrote him off after the Access Hollywood tape, so he'd just be used as a scapegoat and we'd see Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Chris Christie, etc. give it another go.

Would Abbott run?

[TheElectoralBoobyPrize]

I do wonder if anyone who didn't run in 2016 would run in 2020 and if so, would they actually gain any traction.

[Zenobiyl]

The 2016 list with the addition of senator-elect John James & Governor-elect DeSantis.

Trump runs again, but doesn't do nearly as well due to electability concerns and some other candidates co-opting a few of his more popular positions. In the end Cruz or Rubio wins, and loses narrowly to Hillary.

[Samof94]

The 2016 list with the addition of senator-elect John James & Governor-elect DeSantis.

Trump runs again, but doesn't do nearly as well due to electability concerns and some other candidates co-opting a few of his more popular positions. In the end Cruz or Rubio wins, and loses narrowly to Hillary.

He'd go on about how the election was stolen from him.

[Vosem]

Depending on how much Hillary wins by and how big the 2018 midterm backlash is, this is plausibly a world where Hillary/Kaine are impeached in 2019 (assuming Hillary wins by the skin of her teeth and 2018 is R+9* -- a big ask, but the real 2018 was D+8 -- you can get to a 2/3 Senate majority) and you get a President Paul Ryan, who presumably would seek reelection. Incidentally a world where COVID happens under Paul Ryan's watch is a world where he plausibly loses to Sanders or something. (Or I could see Hillary pulling a Trump '24 and running for a nonconsecutive term.)

[I Will Not Be Wrong]

Nobody here has listed John Kasich yet, who would have obviously run as the main establishment figure in this scenario.

[President Johnson]

Probably a lot from the 2016 clown car.

[RINO Tom]

I could actually see Christie making quite a rebound if Trump lost.  He has the qualities people liked in Trump ("tells it like it is") while avoiding the negatives (he comes across more articulate).  Additionally, considering how little people talk about Bridgegate or whatever anymore (I literally can't remember the name, so there ya go!  lol...), I doubt that bothers him much.  I am not sure if Christie could beat an incumbent Hillary, though ... would totally depend on her four years.

[Samof94]

I could actually see Christie making quite a rebound if Trump lost.  He has the qualities people liked in Trump ("tells it like it is") while avoiding the negatives (he comes across more articulate).  Additionally, considering how little people talk about Bridgegate or whatever anymore (I literally can't remember the name, so there ya go!  lol...), I doubt that bothers him much.  I am not sure if Christie could beat an incumbent Hillary, though ... would totally depend on her four years.

He'd definitely run again.

[Del Tachi]

Sarah Palin

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I think you'd see a big crowded field. A lot of 2016 retread too.

Businessman Donald Trump (NY)
Senator Ted Cruz (TX)
Senator Tom Cotton (AR)
Senator Marco Rubio (FL)
Senator Rand Paul (KY)
Former Governor Niki Haley (SC)
Former Governor John Kasich (OH)
Former Governor Chris Christie (NJ)
Former Governor Mike Pence (IN)
Former Governor Sarah Palin (AK)
Governor Charlie Baker (MA)
Former Senator Rick Santorum (PA)
Former UN Ambassador John Bolton (MD)

[TimeUnit2027]

Haley,Rubio,Abbott perhaps Mattis ,maybe Ryan,Christie,Scott(Tim),maybe ASA! ,Trump and Carson might run again.Cruz would run. Sandoval are likely. Bolton may run too(i'm skeptical),Gowdy,King(that one from IA) it would be somewhat crowded.

[Orser67]

In addition to 2016 retreads and current 2024 candidates like Haley and Tim Scott, I think Greg Abbott, Chris Sununu, and Doug Ducey would all have been positioned well as governors who probably won big re-elections in 2018. Rick Scott is another one who might have a similar case.

I could also see Brian Sandoval running and becoming the top moderate-ish candidate.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

In addition to 2016 retreads and current 2024 candidates like Haley and Tim Scott, I think Greg Abbott, Chris Sununu, and Doug Ducey would all have been positioned well as governors who probably won big re-elections in 2018. Rick Scott is another one who might have a similar case.

I could also see Brian Sandoval running and becoming the top moderate-ish candidate.

Scott would probably still run for Senate in 2018, thus taking him out of the 2020 crop of candidates. Good point on the Governors though.

[Vice President Christian Man]

I'm guessing it would be similar to the 2024 field except Christie, Hutchinson & DeSantis wouldn't run and Cruz+Kasich would.

[Sir Mohamed]

I'm guessing it would be similar to the 200 field except Christie, Hutchinson & DeSantis wouldn't run and Cruz+Kasich would.

You mean the 2024 field? Agreed. Not sure though whether Trump would have bothered to run.

[dw93]

Of the 2016 field, Cruz would run again as the 2016 runner up. One of Kasich or Rubio would run again, both are possible, but it's more than likely only gonna be one of them. I don't think Jeb!, Walker, Christie, Fiorina, Carson, or any of the lower tier (Huckabee, Santorum, Pataki, etc...) make another run, nor does Trump, as he likely goes on to make a far right competitor to FOX.

I also think Nikki Haley, Doug Ducey, Brian Sandoval, Tim Scott, and even Gregg Abbot are possibilities. I could also see Rick Scott not running for the Senate and instead running for President only to go nowhere.


If I was a betting man, I'd say Haley, Kasich, or Cruz get the nomination and if it's Cruz, Clinton has a shot at a 2nd term. If it's Haley or Kasich, or someone similar to them, Hillary is toast.