"Parks and Recreation" was one of the most beloved television shows of the 21st century. It followed NBC's "The Office" as a new kind of dry comedy, and people everywhere (especially millennials) caught on to it quickly.

"Parks and Rec" ended on TV in 2015, but it will live on forever in our hearts and through crazy fans that insist on comparing everything in life to our favorite fictional city government officials.

The presidential race in 2016 is picking up steam, with several Republican candidates officially entering in the past couple weeks. It's estimated that the GOP field could swell as large as 15, so with all that dysfunction, don't you think they could take a few lessons from Pawnee?

1. Sen. Rand Paul isLeslie Knope.

Rand Paul is without a doubt the Leslie Knope of the GOP. Loved by some, hated by some, he's passionate about what he believes in and that always shines through. Even in his home state of Kentucky, he's a debatable topic, much like Leslie was in Pawnee. He's not above unusual tactics, either.

2. Gov. Jeb Bush is Ben Wyatt.

When this article was written, Jeb Bush had still not officially declared candidacy, even though the entire world knows he is running. Indecisiveness or calculation, this makes him Ben Wyatt. Also, Jeb can't escape from his family, much like Ben can't escape from his past. In the media, Ben's a human disaster, and Jeb is just another Bush.

3. Sen. Ted Cruz is Tom Haverford.

Before he was running for President, Ted Cruz was only known as the crazy Tea Party guy who does things like a 21-hour filibuster. Even though he tries hard, I'm not sure we'll ever be able to take him seriously, and that's why he's Tom Haverford.

4. Gov. Mike Huckabee is Ron Swanson.

Gov. Mike Huckabee is the Republican Party's ideal success story, but his days as a Fox News anchor may have ruined his public image outside the evangelical base. Does Huckabee care, though? It doesn't seem so, and that's why he's our Swanson.

5. Sen. Marco Rubio isChris Traeger.

One of the youngest candidates in the field, Sen. Rubio is running his campaign on his youth, his vitality, and being a 21st century candidate. You can't say he's not enthusiastic, at least, and that makes him the ideal Chris Traeger.

6. Carly Fiorina is Ann Perkins.

Ann Perkins is one of the only main characters on "Parks and Rec" that isn't originally a city official. That's interesting, because oftentimes, she has better ideas about Pawnee than they do. Fiorina is running a campaign on being an outsider; she's a businesswoman, not a politician.

7. Rick Santorum is April Ludgate.

Rick Santorum burst onto the stage with some relative success in the 2012 primaries, but the media has labeled him as an entirely social conservative, and he just can't get away from it. April can't get away from being depressing, but she relishes in it, so maybe Santorum should take a cue?

8. Mitt Romney is Jerry Gergich.

Poor Mitt. Poor Jerry. No, Mitt Romney isn't running for President in 2016, but this comparison was just too good to not include. Why isn't Romney running? This is his answer: “I did not want to make it more difficult for someone else to emerge who may have a better chance of becoming the president.” He's a good guy, and now, we almost feel sorry for him, but he's the GOP Jerry today.

That's all, folks.

This list isn't about politics, and it isn't about "Parks and Rec," either. It's for fun and it's supposed to be humorous, so don't take it too seriously, and if nothing else, take from this piece to do a little research of your own on these candidates.

Inform yourself, and make a date to go vote in the primaries next spring and in the general next fall.