Potential 2020 Democratic candidates for president are already spending large sums of money on advertisements.
Sens. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), Chris Murphy (D., Conn.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y.) are all spending big money on online advertisements, although three of the senators are not up for reelection until next year. Harris is not up for reelection until 2022.
This large, early spending is creating speculation that these lawmakers are gearing up for the 2020 presidential election.
In the first quarter of 2017, Harris alone spent nearly $300,000 on digital ads. However, the California Democrat is also taking in substantial sums of money. During the same time frame, Harris raised $738,459 from donors giving $200 or less each. Harris' average donation was $18.50, the Huffington Post reported Monday.
Gillibrand has raised $1.5 million after spending $500,000 on an online consulting firm. Murphy spent $391,000 while bringing in just over a million dollars. Warren has spent only $262,787 in the first quarter of 2017, but has raised $3.2 million.
Some observers are raising questions of whether these candidates are simply preparing their Senate campaigns or laying the groundwork for a possible 2020 run against President Donald Trump.