The majority of 2020 candidates have projected unwavering confidence in their ability to win the Democratic primary, but in the bottom rung of the nominating contest, some long-shot candidates have started to publicly entertain the possibility of a plan B. 

While former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) doubled down on their intention to stay in the race, despite suffering significant deficiencies in money and momentum, both contenders also suggested in passing that they are willing to explore other measures–such as running for a different office or endorsing another candidate–if they don’t catch on.

In that vein, Hickenlooper said he spoke to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer last week about potentially launching a Senate bid in his home state, one of the Democrats’ biggest pickup opportunities in 2020.

“He is still in the race for president, but he hasn't closed the door to anything,” Peter Cunningham, Hickenlooper’s communications director, said this week.

The former governor has successfully qualified for the first two Democratic debates in Miami and Detroit, but he failed to deliver breakout performances, with some arguing he played into Republicans’ hands by launching attacks on more progressive candidates.

With the Senate map favoring Republicans in 2020, some activists and party strategists have urged lower-tier candidates like Hickenlooper to forgo presidential runs altogether and focus on flipping red seats blue.

In June, he appeared to turn down that idea, saying, “If the Senate is so good, how come all those senators want to get out?” in reference to his 2020 rivals. In February, he was even more explicit: “I’m not cut out to be a senator,” he told reporters. “Senators don’t build teams. Senators sit and debate in small groups, which is important, right? But I’m not sure that’s my—I’m a doer. That’s what gives me joy.”

There’s indication that Hickenlooper may not be able to sustain his bid much longer, making his comments about exploring another office even more plausible. He had less than $1 million–$836,276–on hand at the end of the last filing period, records indicate.

Meanwhile, Moulton gave the first public acknowledgement that his campaign is not catching on, telling a New Hampshire reporter, “obviously if I get to a point where I just don’t see breaking out, then I would try to find who I think would be the next best nominee to take on Trump and get behind him or her.”

His comments came as The Washington Post reported this week that he is scaling back his campaign staff. The story notes that Moulton recently told his staff that he planned on laying off at least half his team. He has since disputed the report, telling CBS News “it's absolutely not true,” and adding, “that's about as accurate as a Donald Trump press conference.” 

Still, from just about every measure Moulton’s campaign is flailing. In the second quarter of this year, the three-term congressman brought in only $1.2 million, campaign filings show, coming ahead of just four candidates, including Hickenlooper and former Rep. John Delaney (D-MD), in a field of nearly two dozen. 

The other metric, traction in multiple polls, has also proven difficult for Moulton. This week, he acknowledged that not qualifying for the primary debates in Miami and Detroit —and the very real possibility of not making the September event in Houston—have made his presidential run more “challenging.” “I'm not a quitter,” he added. 

While some candidates are dropping hints as to new possibilities post-campaign, not all struggling candidates are making other plans. 

Despite encouragement from national Democrats to mount a challenge to Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX), has maintained his dedication to his presidential run. 

O’Rourke temporarily suspended his campaign this week to console residents in his native city of El Paso, who are grieving the loss of 22 people after a gunman opened fire in a racist attack targeting Hispanics last weekend.  

“No part of me right now is thinking about politics, is thinking about any campaign or election,” O’Rourke told the El Paso Times this week. “All of me is with and thinking about this community.”