The 2016 Presidential elections are beginning to shape up as candidates are stepping up and announcing their campaign for party nominations.

The first came from the Republican party, as Senator Ted Cruz from Texas announced through social media his running for the President of the United States in the 2016 Republican primaries on March 23rd. Senator Ted Cruz embodies a lot of the Tea Party’s philosophy, which is an extreme side to the Republican party and won Tea Party members admiration after his public showdown over the budget and the Affordable Care Act last fall, which led to a 16 day governmental shut down.

On April 7, U.S. Senator Rand Paul announced his candidacy for president. He has held office as the Kentucky Senator since 2011, and is the son of former U.S. Representative Ron Paul of Texas. Rand Paul is running to “defeat the Washington machine,” and in contrast to Cruz, embodies a lot of moderate Republican ideologies.

Last Sunday, former Senator, Secretary of State and First Lady Hilary Rodham Clinton announced her 2016 bid for the Democratic Presidential nominee after a video was released on Youtube. She states “every day Americans need a champion. And I want to be that champion.” With strong support from women and Democrats, Clinton is a very potential candidate for the Democratic party.

Most lately, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida announced his run for presidency on Monday.

“Grounded by the lessons of our history, but inspired by the promise of our future, I announce my candidacy for President of the United States of America”

Senator Rubio stands out from his other Republican contenders as being the son of Cuban immigrants, and represents a Latino presence in a party fighting to diversify outside a white male hegemony. Senator Rubio lies in between Paul and Cruz in Republican moderation. Rubio is the youngest contender in the race for president at 43 years of age.

The rapidly growing race for president seems to be getting a lot of Republican presence, but in a party split between extreme and moderate ideologies it will be interesting to see who will represent the party. This can really change the game for Republican chances for president with separation within the ideology. Other very famous contenders are Governor Jeb Bush of Florida, son of former President George H. Bush and brother to another former president, George W. Bush. His name, however, may be his biggest burden just like Clinton. Do people really want to see a Clinton vs. Bush election again? It will definitely be fun to see as the race for president shapes up and more contenders step up to the plate.

Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey is beginning to make a presence in the race as well. Finishing up a two-day swing in New Hampshire, a state most candidates start in, he made a comment about Clinton, saying to conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt “If I run, I will beat her.”

As the race begins to unfold, more candidates will step up to the plate. Personally, I think the Republican Party will begin to get flooded with candidates and potential Democratic nominees worry if this is the right year to stand up to Clinton’s campaign.