Who’s Running for President in 2016? Top Republican and Democratic Presidential Candidates

Oct 16, 2015 08:11 AM EDT

As President Obama's term is coming to a close, people are looking at the list of presidential hopefuls for America in 2016. Politics1 and the New York Times give the low down on the top candidates running for both the Republican and Democrat tickets:

Democratic Party:

Former Governor Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island (Campaign Site: Chafee2016.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/GovernorChafee; Twitter: www.twitter.com/LincolnChafee) is quoted as saying "I enjoy challenges, and today we have many facing America."  Though running on the Democratic ticket, Chafee was a Republican senator who was the sole vote against the Iraq war.

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton of New York (Campaign Site: HillaryClinton.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/HillaryClinton; Twitter: www.twitter.com/HillaryClinton;) says that "Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion." She has been widely touted for her sentiments in favor of gender equality in marriage, citing her own experience as wife to former President Clinton.

Former Governor Martin O'Malley of Maryland (Campaign Site: MartinOMalley.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/MartinOMalley; Twitter: www.twitter.com/GovernorOMalley) says that the only way to save America is "rebuilding the dream."

Republican Party:

Former Governor Jeb Bush of Florida (Campaign Site: Jeb2016.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/JebBush; Twitter: www.twitter.com/JebBush) saying that he "will take nothing and no one for granted. I will run with heart. I will run to win."

Businesswoman Carly Fiorina of Virginia (Campaign Site: CarlyForPresident.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarlyFiorina; Twitter: www.twitter.com/CarlyFiorina) has been critical of presidential rival Mrs. Clinton, accusing the latter of  not being " transparent about a whole set of things that matter."

Dr. Ben Carson  of Florida (Campaign Site: BenCarson.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/DrBenjaminCarson; Twitter: www.twitter.com/RealBenCarson) was quoted as saying "I'm probably never going to be politically correct because I'm not a politician." Though a newbie in the politica arena, he gained respect for a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast that boldly criticized President Obama.

Businessman Donald Trump of New York (Campaign Site: DonaldJTrump.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/DonaldTrump; Twitter: www.twitter.com/RealDonaldTrump) shocked everyone when he announced "I am officially running for president of the United States." He has had wide TV appeal for his role in hosting "The Apprentice" and is getting great mileage in the campaign thanks to his daring views that he called "politically incorrect."

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee of Florida (Official Site: MikeHuckabee.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/MikeHuckabee ; Twitter: www.twitter.com/GovMikeHuckabee) says that he knows "that there is a difference between making a speech and making government accountable to the people who pay for it." The former Southern Baptist pastor, however, seeks to widen his influence beyond social conservatives.