This work chronicles the key events influencing the 2020 presidential election from the 2016 presidential election onward. Written contemporaneously as events unfolded, this work reflects the impressions of events as they happened in contrast to the later histories written in hindsight which often omit the sense of the events. Donald Trump stunned the world in 2016 and continued to stun, amaze, and outrage much of the world throughout his presidency. At the same time, the contest for the Democratic nomination began as a political dumpster fire and concluded by choosing the party's strongest competitor. Contrary to popular belief, the final contest was a squeaker, and remained contested long after by Trump and his core supporters.