#skndpldr Candidate Rankings - January 22

Not surprisingly, there's relatively little change in this week's rankings: there have been relatively few new developments, and the most significant ones have mostly reinforced the candidates' current placements.

1. Ryan Meili (1)

Meili's December fund-raising success ensured that his top ranking wouldn't be in jeopardy. But the most important numbers for his campaign will be those which crystallize this week: new membership sales have always represented Meili's best chance to put some distance between himself and the balance of the candidates, and we'll know soon whether he's managed to achieve that.

2. Cam Broten (2)

Broten may be the other candidate with the most at stake as the membership deadline passes. While his campaign doesn't look to have as wide a reach as Meili's, Broten's targeted outreach toward immigrant communities could offer him an edge in early-ballot support which might fly under the radar. And we'll have a better idea soon whether Broten will enjoy that advantage over his competitors - or whether he'll face what could be an uphill battle for support among existing members in order to stay on the ballot.

3. Trent Wotherspoon (3)

In contrast, Wotherspoon's campaign has made a more public push to sell memberships - but with little indication as to how many people are taking up the invitation. And so Wotherspoon stays at his current position pending some indication that he's been able to bring in a substantial number of new supporters to give him an edge.

4. Erin Weir (4)

Finally, Weir has taken steps in the last couple of weeks to broaden both his general appeal, and the scope of debate within the campaign as a whole. But he still has some distance to travel to catch up to the plausible multiple-ballot support held by the top three candidates.