We have all heard of the “viral” election phenomenon that happened in the United States in 2016. On one side, we had Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, who became extremely popular after being publicly exposed as part of the “Clinton scandals.” On the other, we had Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, who rode a wave of hate to the White House.
With such polarizing figures on the ballot this year, it should come as no surprise that bookmakers and casino owners are pouring huge amounts of money into predicting the winners of the 2016 presidential election. According to the oddsmaker at Bovada Sportsbook, the favorite to win in 2016 is… Donald Trump. Here is a list of the top 15 political betting favorites as of April 23, 2016:
Is Trump The Next Big Thing In Politics?
There is a reason why Trump’s odds are so high at Bovada and others: This year, Trump is not only the presidential candidate, but he is also the leading candidate for the GOP in the US Senate and House elections. In fact, he is such a powerful political force that even politicians on the left are beginning to fear him. Take Nancy Pelosi, the House Minority Leader, who said that she would be “open to a conversation” about running against Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
What’s next? Will we see a 2020 Trump-Pelosi 2020 presidential election? Trump’s unpredictability could prove to be his biggest asset in the upcoming election. Because he can’t be accused of having a “hidden agenda,” the opposition will have a hard time pinning him down.
The Democrats’ Favorite To Take Back The White House In 2020
The Democrats have a good reason to be optimistic about the 2020 presidential election. After all, they lost the popular vote but managed to win the White House in 2016 thanks to electoral college votes. They are hoping that the defeat of Trump in the upcoming election will be enough to finally rid them of his hateful persona. They also predict that the “anti-Trump” sentiment among the American people will prove to be too much for the president to overcome.
The clear front-runner to succeed Trump in the 2020 presidential election is Joe Biden. According to a YouGov/Economist poll from early April, Biden leads the pack with 35% of the Democratic primary vote. However, he is not without his challengers. Sanders is way behind with just 14% support. Other notable candidates include Elizabeth Warren (10%) and Kamala Harris (7%).
The GOP’s Favorite To Replace Trump In 2020
The GOP is coming from a different place this year. Rather than focusing on defeating Trump, they are trying to find a candidate who can best avoid upsetting the president and keep his support base intact. According to a Washington Post/Schar School poll, the GOP voters’ first choice for the 2020 presidential election is not a politician at all, but an outsider who can “bring new leadership and fresh ideas” to Washington.
The businessman and self-made billionaire Paul Ryan, the speaker of the House, fits that description. He is the GOP’s favorite to replace Trump in the next election. Ryan has already stated that he is willing to work with Trump in order to help pass legislation. Furthermore, Trump has endorsed Ryan’s campaign.
Ryan’s favorability is not limited to Republicans, either. According to a CNN/SSRS poll, 61% of Americans have a favorable opinion of the speaker. The only people who have a less favorable view of Ryan are Democrats, with 49% viewing him unfavorably. Still, this is a promising sign for those who hope that Ryan will be able to bring some sanity and moderation to the chaotic Trump presidency.
Who is Trump betting on to Win the 2020 Presidential Election?
One way to get a feel for how popular the idea of Trump winning in 2020 is to look at the odds quoted for the next election. As of April 22, 2020, the betting odds favor Trump for reelection in the next presidential election. The current odds for 2020 are:
+140 – Donald Trump
In other words, if you lay $100 on Trump, you will win $140. This is an extremely popular betting option this year, as evidenced by the fact that there are currently 2820 bets laid on the 2020 election. Even if you want to bet on Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren, you will not be able to find a place to do so because everyone wants to bet on Trump.
+120 – Hillary Clinton
Clinton is currently the favorite to win the 2020 presidential election, according to betting odds. As the Democratic nominee in the 2016 election, she is widely seen as the architect of the election victory, not to mention the fact that she was the first woman to hold the Oval Office. Her odds of winning the next presidential election are +120. If you want to bet on another candidate, you will have to wait until after the election in October 2020.
+100 – Bernie Sanders
The next biggest favorite, at +100, is Bernie Sanders. As a senator from Vermont, Bernie is known for his consistent advocacy of social justice issues and his blunt honesty. While he may not be the most experienced politician in the world (he was running for the White House for the first time), he is considered to be one of the most progressive candidates ever to run for the presidency.
+75 – Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is another top favorite at +75. The media mogul is known for her philanthropic endeavors as well as her ability to convince people to vote for Democrats. In the last presidential election, she campaigned for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and donated $2.73 million to the party. If you want to place a wager on the next election, you have to do so before September 15, 2020, as that is when the book is closed for betting. After that, you will have to wait until after the election in November 2020 to place your bet.
+70 – Joe Biden
Joe Biden is the favorite to win the 2020 Democratic nomination, according to a RealClearPolitics average of polls. As the former vice president, he has a ton of experience, having served alongside two Democratic presidents. Additionally, he is well-liked by almost all Americans. If you want to place a bet on the next election, you will have to wait until after the end of the Democratic primaries in late June or early July 2020. After that, you can place your bet at a bookmaker.
+65 – Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren is another favorite at +65. The presidential hopeful and Massachusetts senator advocates for progressive policies and has proposed a wealth tax on the wealthiest Americans. While she has never been elected to public office, she has a large and devoted following among Democrats and progressives due to her outspoken nature.
+55 – Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris is a favorite of the bookmakers at +55. The California senator is part of the so-called “Squad” of progressive Democrats that also includes Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. Like those two, she is also a strong supporter of democratic ideals and has vocally opposed Trump’s “America First” agenda. She has a promising career in politics ahead of her. According to a recent RealClearPolitics average of polls, Harris has the most diverse set of endorsements, including several high-profile Republicans and Independents. If you want to place a wager on the next election, you will have to do so before April 29, 2020.
Who is Trump’s biggest challenger in 2020?
While most of the 2020 Democratic presidential field is focused on beating Trump in the next election, the president faces a fierce primary challenge from the right. Trump is arguably the most unpopular president in modern history. According to Gallup, just 37% of Americans have a favorable view of the president. In other words, 59% of the American public see him as “not very favorable” or “unfavorable.” Even among Republicans, Trump is deeply unpopular, with just 45% of respondents holding a favorable view of the president and 54% holding an unfavorable view.