This month has marked the addition of three candidates to the long list presidential hopefuls.
Rick Santorum confirmed political whispers last Wednesday (May 27), when he officially announced his candidacy for the 2016 election. In an interview with ABC News’ Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos, the 57-year-old says he’s ready for the second go-around after losing the GOP nomination to Gov. Mitt Romney in 2012.
Santorum, who is known for his strong Christian conservative views, made the announcement near his home in Cabot, Pennsylvania.
“It’s an exciting opportunity,” he told Stephanopoulos. “To come back home, to be at a manufacturing facility, to really reconnect to what I grew up with and understood to be an America that worked, that worked for middle-income families, that created stable neighborhoods and strong families — when you see all these reports coming out, one after another, from the far left and the far right talking about how the middle of America is hollowing out and the jobs just aren’t there for the 74 percent of Americans who don’t have a college degree, families are breaking down.”
In addition to former New York Governor George Pataki’s announcement on Thursday, Martin O’Malley followed suit on Saturday near his home in Baltimore. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham made his own announcement Monday morning, reminding many of his harsh views on foreign policy.
A senate official since 2002, Graham isn’t one to hold back when it comes to terrorism and international affairs. While speaking at the Lincoln Day dinner in April, Graham sprinkled his views of ISIS in with some humor on how he would handle Americans trying to join the Islamic State.
“If I’m president of the United States and you’re thinking about joining Al Qaeda or ISIL, I’m not going to call a judge,” he said. “I’m going to call a drone, and we will kill you.”
Since January, eight politicians have announced their intentions to snag a seat in the White House, with many more dropping hints every few days.
Will all the cooks in the kitchen vying for a chance to become president, take a look at the contenders and some fun facts about them below.
Democratic Candidates
Hillary Clinton (D-NY)
Status: Running
Fun Fact: Hillary Clinton started selling promo tees that are a mockery of her infamous pantsuits.
Martin O’Malley (D-MD)
Status: Running
Fun Fact: David Simon, creator of The Wire, says the character Tommy Carcetti was loosely based on Malley’s likeness.
Bernie Sanders (D-VT)
Status: Running
Fun Fact: Sanders is behind an incredibly high ninety percent tax rate for the American people.
GOP Candidates
Marco Rubio (R-FL)
Status: Running
Fun Fact: During a high school talent show, Rubio played a Chippendale and released his inner Magic Mike.
Rand Paul (R-KY)
Status: Running
Fun Fact: Not a clear expert on ISIS, the 52-year-old is certain that American politicians he’s worked with created the Islamic State.
George Pataki (R-NY)
Status: Running
Fun Fact: The former NY governor is a big Letterman fan.
Mike Huckabee (R-AR)
Status: Running
Fun Fact: After Huckabee supported the release of convicted rapist Wayne DuMond, the inmate raped and killed Carol Sue Shields. Her mother still blames Huckabee for her daughter’s death.
Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Status: Running
Fun Fact: Due to his time working in a bar, Graham said he learned that Iranians were liars by their smell.
Carly Fiorina (R-TX)
Status: Running
Fun Fact: After bashing the former first lady, Fiorina said she’s certain Hillary Clinton is following her on her campaign tour.
Mark Everson (R-NY)
Status: Running
Fun Fact: Everson was asked by the Red Cross to resign from his presidential duties after he impregnated a subordinate employee.
Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Status: Running
Fun Fact: After purposely blocking Hurricane Sandy relief for thousands of people, he’s now asked for tons of money help cover the Texan floods this year.
Dr. Ben Carson
Status: Running
Fun Fact: The bold Carson had no problem critiquing President Obama to his face after he was invited to speak at the National Prayer Breakfast in 2013.
RUMORED TO BE RUNNING
Jeb Bush (R-FL)
Status: Plans to make announcement in the “near future.”
Fun Fact: Jeb is more than certain ISIS didn’t exist when his brother George W. Bush was in office, but reports have determined the Islamic State was established in 2004.
Scott Walker (R-WI)
Status: Walker says his announcement is “a ways off.”
Fun Fact: Walker has pledged to sign a “No Excuses” Abortion Bill that includes no exemption for rape or incest.
Donald Trump
Status: Rumored
Fun Fact: Trump has a way to defeat ISIS, but isn’t telling you about it just yet.
Jim Gilmore (R-VA)
Status: Considering running.
Fun Fact: Gilmore is no relation to John Gilmore, the crafty Western culture artist of the same name.
Rick Perry (R-TX)
Status: Will announce his presidential plans June 4 in Texas.
Fun Fact: While his big “oops” moment still haunts him, the politician is looking forward to putting his past fumbles behind him.
Pete King (R-NY)
Status: Unknown
Fun Fact: The Republican isn’t a fan of terrorists, but has been known for his affiliation to the Irish Republican Army, who is reportedly involved in bombings and shootings in England and Northern Ireland.
John Kasich (R-OH)
Status: Plans to announce bid after June 30th.
Fun Fact: Kasich really cannot decide if he’s with Obamacare or not.
Bobby Jindal (R-LA)
Status: Plans to announce bid after state legislative session ends on June 11.
Fun Fact: Jindal was one of the politicians supportive of the Louisiana Science Education Act, which allows science teachers to teach creationism in public schools.
Chris Christie (R-NJ)
Status: Rumored
Fun Fact: Christie is one of the few politicians who have slow jammed the news with Jimmy Fallon.
Lincoln Chafee (D-RI)
Status: Will reportedly announce presidential run June 3.
Fun Fact: Chafee says he plans to slam Clinton for her decision to support what he called the biggest mistake in American history: the war in Iraq.
Jim Webb (D-VA)
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