(Image source from: Business Insider)

As many as 20 Democratic presidential candidates have qualified for the first debate scheduled to be held later this month ahead of the next year’s elections.

Prominent names which were announced by the Democratic National Committee were California Senator Kamala Harris, former Vice President Joe Biden, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, and Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard.

New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, who has been at loggerheads with President Donald Trump over immigration, also made the cut, CNN reported.

In order to be eligible for taking part in the debate, candidates have to achieve 1 percent in at least three qualified polls or receive campaign donations from 65,000 unique donors, as well as 200 donors each from 20 different states.

Four Democrats could not make their way into the list of the first round of debates, which will take place on June 26 and 27 in Miami, as a consequence less traction of their respective campaigns.

The four Democrats were Former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel, Montana Governor Steve Bullock, Massachusetts Representative Seth Moulton, and Mayor Wayne Messam of Miramar in Florida.

Including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, several Democrats criticized the Trump administration over a number of issues especially on Special Counsel Rober Mueller’s report on alleged Russian meddling in 2016 elections and immigration. Some of them have even called for Trump's impeachment.

However, comparing himself to former President Richard Nixon, Trump had said that he has done “great” for the country and will not leave.

By Sowmya Sangam