It’s hard to believe that the presidential election is less than eight months away. Since people discuss it all the time, it seems like it’s been happening forever. To me, it’s been not only entertaining, but it’s also brought out some very important topics that need to be discussed. As we get closer and closer to figuring out the nominees from each party, I believe it’s important to know as much as possible about each candidate so the people can form an informed decision about who they’re voting for. Below I will give a brief rundown of every candidate to help form those opinions!

Democrats:

Hillary Clinton (New York)

Hillary Clinton was the former Secretary of State from 2009-2013. Before that, she served as the First Lady from 1993-2001 and served as a US Senator representing New York from 2001-2009.

On the issues:

Clinton leans left on social issues such as she is pro-choice, wants to continue funding Planned Parenthood, and she is for the legalization of same-sex marriage. She agrees with Common Core and would tax the rich more to reduce interest rates on student loans. Clinton wants to formally declare war on ISIS, but only with targeted airstrikes and she believes we should let in Syrian refugees. Clinton wants stricter laws in terms of purchasing and selling guns. She believes that there should be an easy pathway to citizenship for immigrants with no criminal record and that immigrants should have access to government healthcare. She argues that the government should raise the minimum wage and that men and women should be paid the same amount for the same work. Clinton believes that healthy and mentally capable people on welfare should be required to work, and she is against testing welfare recipients for drugs.

Bernie Sanders (Vermont)

Bernie Sanders is currently a US Senator representing the State of Vermont. Before that, he was a member of the US House of Representatives from 1991-2007.

On the issues:

Sanders is known as the socialist in the race. He is pro-choice, supports the legalization of same-sex marriage, and wants to continue funding Planned Parenthood. He believes that the US should stay out of Middle Eastern conflicts and not declare war on ISIS. He thinks that children of illegal immigrants should be granted citizenship and that there should be an easy pathway to citizenship. He also does not think the US should increase border patrol. Sanders wants to raise minimum wage and make it a living wage and that testing physically and mentally capable adults on welfare should not be required to work.

Republicans:

Ted Cruz (Texas)

Ted Cruz is currently a US senator representing the State of Texas since 2013.

On the issues:

Cruz is pro-life even in cases of rape and incest, opposes same-sex marriage, believes that a business can deny service based on religious beliefs, and wants to defund Planned Parenthood. Cruz believes that the US should formally declare war on ISIS in the form of airstrikes, but that the US should not fly drones over foreign countries to gain intelligence. He wants to send all Syrian refugees back to Syria and wants to monitor Muslim neighborhoods until terrorist attacks decrease. Cruz wants to increase border control and that all illegal immigrants should be deported. He also believes that the US should abolish welfare programs, Obamacare, and any other federal agencies that he views unconstitutional.

Donald Trump (New York)

Donald Trump is an American Businessman that is the chairman and president of The Trump Organization.

On the issues:

Trump is pro-life, but would allow abortions in cases of rape and incest, opposes same-sex marriage, and wants to continue funding Planned Parenthood except to perform abortions. Trump wants to formally declare war on ISIS and wants to send in ground troops. He would send all refugees back to Syria and believes that the police should be monitoring Muslim neighborhoods. Trump wants to increase border patrol and deport all illegal immigrants. He believes that global warming is a natural occurrence and that the US should expand offshore drilling and supports the use of hydraulic fracking. Trump does not support Obamacare and disagrees that the United States should raise the minimum wage.

John Kasich (Ohio)

John Kasich is currently the Governor of Ohio and took office in 2010. Before that, he was a member of the US House of Representatives from 1983-2001, and then was Chairman of the House Budget Committee from 1995-2001.

On the issues:

Kasich is pro-life, but would allow abortions in cases of rape and incest, does not agree with the Supreme Court decision of legalizing same-sex marriage, but won’t try to overturn it, and wants to defund Planned Parenthood. He wants to increase the military budget and wants to formally declare war on ISIS. Kasich believes that all physically and mentally capable people on welfare should be required to work and that those on welfare should be tested for drugs. He wants to increase border patrol but make the pathway to citizenship easier for illegal immigrants with no criminal record. Kasich does not support Obamacare or raising the federal minimum wage.

This is not an extensive list of all the issues that the candidates believe or discuss, but hopefully it helps some to form an educated opinion!