The results of a 2020 Racial Justice Presidential Scorecard webinar presented Dec. 12 by the Center for Urban and Racial Equity found that although Sen. Elizabeth Warren scored 91 out of 100 points, followed by Sen. Cory Booker’s 90/100 for “demonstrated leadership in several areas,” all the candidates need to beef up their efforts to convince voters in the upcoming election.
The scoreboard, which lists as the “first of its kind,” analyzed the candidates’ policy proposals through a racial equity lens across critical areas including criminal justice reform, education, health care, voting rights, reparations, environmental justice, immigration, indigenous rights, and policies to close the racial wealth gap.
“The Racial Justice Scorecard articulates a valuable and needed conversation currently missing from the presidential election,” said Janet MacGillivary, executive director of Seeding Sovereignty. “In a time of climate crisis, severe inequalities, and attacks on communities of color, it is crucial that we elect a president that is well-equipped and willing to shift social and environmental paradigms to dismantle these issues.”
The scorecard also examined candidates’ past and current rhetoric and language around racial justice issues important to communities of color.
While Julián Castro, who was clear at highlighting racial inequities, scored not far behind Booker, Sen. Bernie Sanders scored a B+.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, who scored low on criminal justice issues, along with Andrew Yang and President Donald Trump, listed at the bottom of the scoreboard.
The rankings:
Sen. Elizabeth Warren
A-
91/100
Sen. Cory Booker
A-
90/100
Julián Castro
B+
88.25/100
Sen. Bernie Sanders
B+
87/100
Sen. Kamala Harris
B
85/100
South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Butigieg
B
84.5/100
Sen. Amy Klobuchar
C-
72.25/100
Joe Biden
F
55/100
Tulsi Gabbard
F
55/100
Tom Steyer
F
52.5/100
Andrew Yang
F
51.25/100
Donald Trump
F
3.25/100