What the Democratic candidates said during their first debate

Democratic presidential candidates tried Wednesday to elbow their way into the spotlight in a debate that kicked off the 2020 primary season.

The 2020 presidential campaign officially kicked into high gear Wednesday as Democratic presidential contenders gathered in Miami for the first of two debates.

Over the course of two hours, 10 hopefuls whose poll rankings or grass-roots financial support met party criteria angled for attention on a crowded stage. They sparred on a wide variety of issues ⁠— including immigration, the economy, climate change and, of course, President Donald Trump.

Here's a roundup of key quotes from Wednesday's debate. Ten more Democratic candidates are slated to face off Thursday.

about the writers

Judy Keen

See More

Matt DeLong

Audience editor

Matt DeLong is an editor on the Minnesota Star Tribune's audience team. He writes Nuggets, a free, weekly email newsletter about legal cannabis in Minnesota. DeLong also oversees the Minnesota Poll and has written numerous reader-focused guides and FAQ articles on a wide range of topics.

See More

C.J. Sinner

Director of Graphics & Data Visuals

C.J. Sinner is the Director of Graphics and Data Visuals at the Star Tribune, managing a small team that works at the intersection of data and design to help enhance storytelling on all platforms through charts, maps and diagrams. 

See More

Jamie Hutt

Digital design director

Jamie Hutt is the digital design director, overseeing news design for Star Tribune's digital products. Hutt was a member of the team that developed Star Tribune’s first online service in 1994.

See More

More from Politics

card image

Our mission this election cycle is to provide the facts and context you need. Here’s how we’ll do that.