The presidential lineup

Democrats:

Bernie Sanders

Coming from a humble political background, Sanders started off as the mayor of Burlington, Vermont. His administration there focused on affordable housing and progressive taxation. Sanders is currently running with a strong focus on domestic economic changes like educational reforms and making community college tuition free. Other stances Sanders takes include the living wage, campaign finance reform, climate change, and, infamously, the legalization of marijuana. Sanders is, however, often criticized about his lack of experience and knowledge of foreign affairs, leaving many wondering how he will handle crises overseas if he were elected president.

Fun facts on Sanders:

• Bernie Sanders recorded a folk album called “We Shall Overcome” and it is available on iTunes and Amazon.
• According to Business Insider, Bernie Sanders has a computer game called “The Bernie Arcade” that was released during his 2006 senate re-election campaign.
• CNN points out that if elected, Sanders will be the oldest president ever at 74 years old.

Hillary Clinton

Clinton is a practicing lawyer with a degree from Yale. She has an impressive political resume, starting with being the first lady of Arkansas, and finishing with her most recent and current occupation as the President’s Secretary of State. Clinton runs with a well rounded mixture of social justice, economics, and a strong grasp on foreign affairs. Like Sanders, she is for debt free education and campaign finance reform. Her social justice views encompass criminal justice reform, LGBT equality, stronger labor unions, and humane and fair treatment of immigrants.

Fun facts on Clinton:

• Huffington Post reports that Hillary Clinton hasn’t driven a car since 1996.
• Hillary Clinton won a Grammy in 1997 for “Best Spoken Word Album.”
• Huffington Post also reports that Clinton has published a Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe.

Republicans:

Donald Trump

Trump has a colorful background of business and being a famous TV personality, hosting shows like SNL and Celebrity Apprentice. Trump takes more of a radical view on issues like immigration. He has gone as far to propose that muslims should not be allowed to enter the country, or that a wall should be erected along the Texas-Mexico border in order to stop people from migrating across the border illegally. His views on the economy are more liberal. He believes in tax relief of the middle class and eliminating national debt. Additionally, Trump is a strong supporter of the 2nd amendment.  There are concerns that Trump’s policies aren’t implementable or constitutional.

Fun facts on Trump:

• Donald Trump hosted a TV show called “The Apprentice,” which was later rebranded as “Celebrity Apprentice.” He resigned from his post in 2015 to pursue the 2016 nomination.
• According to CNN, Trump almost ran for president in 2012, but on May 16 of 2011, he announced that he would not be running the following year.
• CNN also reports that Trump has a net worth “excess of ten billion dollars,” but Forbes stated earlier in 2015 that he has a net worth of 4.1 billion.

Ted Cruz

Cruz is a former solicitor general for the state of Texas and current incumbent senator from Texas. His views, similar to Trump’s, are on the far right side of radical. Cruz primarily focuses on social issues and national security. He believes in strong traditional family values, and is an outspoken opponent of planned parenthood. He, alongside Trump, wants to stiffen immigration laws and secure the US-Mexico border.

Fun facts on Cruz:

• According to Fox News, Ted Cruz was born in Canada, not America. He formally renounced his Canadian citizenship in 2014.
• Cruz does not believe in climate change.
• Cruz announced his presidential candidacy in March of 2015 with a 30 second Twitter video.