2016 Presidential Candidates Who's Who: Democrat Edition

By Elana Goodwin on August 5, 2015

It feels like every day a new presidential candidate announces they’re going to be running in the 2016 election which can be confusing and make it hard to keep track of who’s running and what they stand for.

So if you care at all about politics or are already following election news, here’s a veritable who’s who of the democratic presidential candidates who’ve publicly announced their campaigns.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

1. Lincoln Chafee.

Who is he?

Chafee’s the former governor of RI (2011-2015), the former U.S. senator from RI (1999-2007), and the former mayor of Warwick, RI (1993-1999). He announced his candidacy in June.

What are his beliefs?

*Stance on Gun Control: supports common sense complying with the 2nd Amendment but doesn’t think freedoms given in Constitution should be curtailed.
*Stance on Abortion: supports women’s rights to personal reproductive decisions.
*Stance on LGBT Rights: supports marriage equality.
*Stance on Immigration: supportive of path to legalization and more programs for legal immigrants.
*Stance on Jobs: in the past has supported increase of minimum wage.

2. Hilary Clinton.

Who is she?

The former U.S. Secretary of State (2009-2013), the former senator from NY (2001-2009), and the former First Lady of the U.S. (1993-2001). She was a presidential candidate in 2008, and announced her intentions to run in this upcoming election back in April.

What are her beliefs?

*Stance on Gun Control: believes the nation’s gun laws need to be toughened and has vowed to fight the National Rifle Association.
*Stance on Abortion: pro-abortion as she believes in unlimited abortion on demand as too many women are “denied abortions.”
*Stance on LGBT Rights: now supports right of same-sex couples to marry both personally and as law though she didn’t in the past.
*Stance on Immigration: believes “immigrants keep America young and dynamic.”
*Stance on Jobs: believes in fair wages, keeping jobs in America, increasing minimum wage.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

3. Martin O’Malley.

Who is he?

The former governor of Maryland (2007-2015), and the former mayor of Baltimore, MD (1999-2007). He announced he is running as a democratic presidential candidate in May.

What are his beliefs?

*Stance on Gun Control: supports restrictions on the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms.
*Stance on Abortion: it’s an issue “best left to the individual conscience of women.”
*Stance on LGBT Rights: all are created equal and everyone deserves marriage equality.
*Stance on Immigration: supports comprehensive immigration reform.
*Stance on Jobs: raise minimum wage and increase collective bargaining rights.

4. Bernie Sanders.

Who is he?

The current U.S. Senator from Vermont (2007-present), the former U.S. representative from VT (1991-2007), and the former mayor of Burlington, VT (1981-1989). He announced his intentions to be a presidential candidate in April.

What are his beliefs?

*Stance on Gun Control: would support strong sensible gun control but doesn’t believe it’s going to solve all of our problems.
*Stance on Abortion: believes “the decision about abortion must remain a decision for the woman, her family and physician to make, not the government.”
*Stance on LGBT Rights: is a staunch and public supporter of LGBT equality.
*Stance on Immigration: supports path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants in the country.
*Stance on Jobs: wants to raise minimum wage to $15 per hour.

5. Jim Webb.

Who is he?

The former U.S. senator from Virginia (2007-2013), the former U.S. Secretary of the Navy (1987-1988), and the former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs (1984-1987). Webb announced his campaign as a presidential candidate in July.

What are his beliefs?

*Stance on Gun Control: has emphasized the importantance of 2nd Amendment right to bear arms and has voted and supported various acts involving guns and firearms.
*Stance on Abortion: Supports Roe v. Wade and abortion rights.
*Stance on LGBT Rights: used to oppose same-sex marriage and now supports it and thinks it’s a “good thing for this country.”
*Stance on Immigration: split on immigration issues; opposed comprehensive immigration package in 2007 but supported Dream Act which would have given citizenship to undocumented immigrants who go to college or serve in the military.
*Stance on Jobs: is against the outsourcing of American jobs, supports better workers’ rights.

These are the five democratic presidential candidates that we know of so far — stay tuned for a who’s who of the republican presidential candidates coming later this week!

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