Election season is a year away and it seems that the number of candidates entering the race is increasing every day. As of today, there are five Democratic candidates and nearly a dozen Republicans in the running. From the powerhouse of Clinton to the legacy of Jeb Bush, the political environment is heating up at a steady pace.

With all these options, the choice about who to elect can be confusing and overwhelming. Here is breakdown of each of the candidates, from their experience and qualifications to their positions on a variety of hot-button issues.

Democrats:

Hillary Clinton, Former Secretary of State of the United States

The former First Lady and Secretary of State announced her second candidacy for President in April 2015. She worked to reform health care laws during her tenure as First Lady as well as persistent efforts toward peace in the Middle East under President Barack Obama.

On matters of the economy, Clinton supports programs such as Social Security and Medicare as well as opposing the Bush-era tax cuts. She is a proponent of The American Health Choices Plan requiring Americans to have some form of health insurance, either through "individual or employee mandate." Clinton opposes harsher punishments toward illegal immigrants but in 2006, she voted for the passage of the Secure Fence Act. She has stood in favor of "sensible gun control legislation," and made gun rights a part of her 2008 presidential campaign. She is a strong advocate of LGBT rights and net neutrality, saying in January 2010 that, "We stand for a single Internet where all of humanity has equal access to knowledge and ideas."

On matters of education, Clinton is an advocate for public school reform and supported President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act in 2001. She accepts the scientific consensus of climate change and has said that global warming is "the most consequential, urgent, sweeping collection of challenges we face as a nation and a world."

Bernie Sanders, Senator from Vermont

Bernie Sanders is the longest-standing independent in US congressional history. He has served as the Senator from Vermont since 2007 and the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee since January 2015. He announced his desire for the Democratic nomination in April 2015.

When it comes to the economy, Sanders supports the repeal of tax cuts for corporations and supports using the added revenue to reduce taxes for the middle and lower classes. He opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, advocating instead for decent-paying jobs for Americans rather than outsourcing to China and other countries. Sanders supports evidence of climate change and considers global warming to be "a serious problem." In 2007, along with Senator Barbara Boxer, drafted the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act of 2007, legislation that would create major reform and overhaul of laws concerning climate change. Sanders showed strong opposition to the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and has long been critical of US government surveillance policies.

On matters of human rights and social reform, Sanders supports public funding for college education as well as a universal health care system. He voted against the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996 and has reaffirmed his support of same-sex marriage saying, "Of course all citizens deserve equal rights. It’s time for the Supreme Court to catch up to the American people and legalize gay marriage."

Martin O'Malley, Former Governor of Maryland

The former Governor of Maryland and former Mayor of Baltimore announced his candidacy for President in May of 2015.

O'Malley supports a "living wage" of $15/hour and during his final year as Governor, he signed legislation raising Maryland's minimum wage to $10.10/hour. He supports financial regulation and favors breaking up the nation's biggest financial institutions as way of preventing a repeat of the 2008 financial crisis.

He is considered a strong ally on immigration reform and Congressman Luis Gutierrez called O'Malley a "champion" of immigration in 2014. He supports asylum for minors escaping violence in their home countries and signed a stateside DREAM Act allowing young immigrants illegally in the US to pay in-state tuition and get driver's licenses.

O'Malley is an advocate of gun control and says that he is "pissed" about the gun control climate. In May 2013 he signed the Firearm Safety Act banning magazines that hold more than 10 bullets, 45 types of semiautomatic rifles and requires stricter regulations for purchasing and licensing of firearms.

Lincoln Chafee, Former Governor of Rhode Island

A former liberal Republican, Chafee also served as Governor of Rhode Island and US Senator from Rhode Island. He switched his registration to the Democratic Party in 2013 and announced his candidacy for President in June 2015.

On issues of domestic policy, he has long been a "pro-choice" advocate of abortion and same-sex marriage. He supports a "common sense adherence to the Second Amendment" and was the only Republican to vote against the Military Commissions Act of 2006. He has stated that he is open to the idea of legalizing recreational marijuana but has yet to take a more solid stance.

On matters of foreign policy, Chafee is a strong opponent of AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, criticizing what he characterizes as a Bibical influence on US policy with respect to Israel. He advocates improving relations with the Russian Federation including lifting of sanctions against Russia. He was the only Republican in the Senate to vote against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq and in recent years has said that the US "must make international decisions with brains and not biceps."

Jim Webb, Former Senator from Virginia

Jim Webb has served as the Senator from Virginia from 2007-2013 as well as former Secretary of the Navy and former Assistant Secretary of Defense. He officially announced his candidacy for President on July 2, 2015.

In terms of the economy, Webb supports fighting economic disparity between the highest earning CEOs and the middle class. He is a proponent of tax reform, advocating to reduce the corporate tax rate as well as shifting tax policies from income to consumption.

On matters of foreign policy, he advocates honoring treaty commitments and refusing to partner with countries if they elect to use force outside of the agreed boundaries. He believes in the right of our nation to preserve and exercise self-defense as well as supporting allies in China and the Middle East.

On issues of domestic policy, Webb supports reforming the criminal justice system including the length of sentences as well as the quality of life in prison. He also supports programs that would help former inmates return to society.

Republicans:

Jeb Bush, Former Governor of Florida

Jeb Bush served as Governor of Florida from 1999-2007. He is the second son of George H.W. Bush and brother of former President George W. Bush. He officially announced his candidacy for President in June 2015.

On issues of domestic policy, Bush opposes public funding of abortions but believes they are appropriate in cases of rape, incest, or where the life of the mother may be in danger. He supports drilling off the coast of Florida as well as the Keystone XL pipeline and fracking. While he previously supported avenues to citizenship for illegal immigrants, in 2015 he supports the idea that illegal immigrants should have avenues to legal status, but not citizenship. Bush opposes same-sex marriage and net neutrality.

On issues of the economy, Bush has been quoted saying that Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is "flawed to it's core and doesn't work" but believes that rather than simply repealing the act, Republicans should present an alternative. He supports welfare restrictions and cutting taxes for all Americans as well as decreases in capital gains and property taxes.

Ted Cruz, Former Senator from Texas

The first Hispanic senator from Texas and currently serves as Chairman of the subcommittee on Oversight, Agency Action, Federal Rights and Federal Courts, as well as Chairman of the US Senate Judiciary Committee. He officially announced his candidacy in March 2015.

In terms of domestic issues, Cruz opposes net neutrality and abortion. While he maintains that marriage should be between a man and a woman, he also believes that the legality of same-sex marriage should be left to each state to decide. This position is similar to his views on marijuana legalization. Cruz is an avid gun rights supporter and in March 2013 he vowed to filibuster any legislation that would entail gun control, such as the Manchin-Toomey Amendment.

On issues of the economy and healthcare, Cruz believes that Republicans "are and should be the party of the 47 percent" and opposes an unconditional increase in the debt limit. Cruz strongly opposes the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and has sponsored legislation to repeal the act and its resulting amendments.

On issues of the environment, Cruz believes that global warming is real but not man-made. He was an original co-sponsor of the Keystone XL pipeline and wants to export US natural gas to World Trade Organization countries.

Rand Paul, Senator from Kentucky

The son of former US Representative Ron Paul, Rand Paul has served as the Senator from Kentucky since January 2011. He is a member of the Tea Party Movement and a self-described "constitutional conservative." He officially announced his candidacy in April 2015.

Paul describes himself as "100% pro life" and supports a ban on position for all reasons. He believes marriage should be between a man and a woman but does not support a federal ban and believes legality should be left up to the states. Paul criticizes mandatory minimum sentences for repeated offenders and opposes legalization of recreational marijuana, but does not support jail time for marijuana users.

Paul opposes all forms of gun control and is an advocate of personal property rights, introducing the Defense of Environment and Property Act in 2012. He supports a role for American armed forces abroad and permanent foreign military bases. Many of his fellow Republicans view him as an isolationist but Paul has stated that "I personally believe that this group(ISIS) would not be in Iraq and would not be as powerful had we not been supplying their allies in the war."

Marco Rubio, Senator from Florida

Marco Rubio has served as the Senator from Florida since 2011. He previously served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives from 2007-2009. He officially announced his candidacy in April 2015.

On issues of domestic policy, Rubio identifies as pro-life and strongly opposes Roe v Wade believing that the"right to life is a fundamental one that trumps virtually any other right I can imagine." He opposes same-sex marriage on the federal level but believes that the states should have the right to define marriage as they see fit. Rubio has stated that he could support non-active forms of cannabis for medicinal purposes but believes that legalization for recreational use"is the right decision for our country."

On issues of national security, Rubio believes that radical Islamic terrorists pose the greatest threat to US national security and supports extending the wiretap provision of the Patriot Act. Rubio has spoken out in support of President Obama's response to the ISIS invasion of Iraq.

Dr. Ben Carson, Former Johns Hopkins Neurosurgeon

The first neurosurgeon to successfully separate conjoined twins joined at the head, Carson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2008. He officially announced his candidacy in May 2015.

On issues of marriage and homosexuality, Carson has spoken out in stark opposition. "Marriage is between a man and a woman. No group, be they gays, be they NAMBLA, be they people who believe in bestiality, it doesn't matter what they are. They don't get to change the definition."

In terms of evolution, Carson has stated "I don't believe in evolution...I simply don't have enough faith to believe that something as complex as our ability to rationalize, think, and plan, and have a moral sense of what's right and wrong, just appeared."

Carson is a strongly opposes the Affordable Care Act, calling it "the worst thing that has happened to this nation since slavery." He is a supports the Second Amendment but believes in heavier gun regulation in high-crime areas and large cities.

Carly Fiorina, Former CEO of HP

Carly Fiorina began her career climbing the ranks at AT&T and eventually becoming the CEO of Hewlett-Packard. She was one of the first women to lead one of the top twenty US companies. She officially announced her candidacy for President in May 2015.

Fiorina is a strong opponent of same-sex marriage and was active in supporting Proposition 8, legislation making same-sex marriage illegal in California. An article in the New York Times explains, "While she does not endorse same-sex marriages, Ms. Fiorina supports granting government benefits to same-sex couples."

Fiorina does not support climate change legislation and opposes raising the federal minimum wage. On immigration issues she supports a path to citizenship for children of illegal immigrants if they graduate from college or serve in the armed forces. She doesn't believe that drug addiction should be criminalized and cited "decriminalizing drug addiction and drug use" as an example of a successful reform."

Mike Huckabee, Former Governor of Arkansas

Mike Huckabee served as the Governor of Arkansas from 1996-2007. He was a Republican presidential candidate in 2008 and finished 3rd behind Mitt Romney and John McCain in the final election. He officially announced his candidacy in May 2015.

On abotion and sam-sex marriage, Huckabee has come out in strong opposition to both. He is opposed to abortion in all cases, including rape and incest and while he believes Americans should respect homosexuals, adoptions by gay-couples should be illegal.

On gun control and immigration, Huckabee has voiced strong support for self-defense laws and a strong opponent of anti-gun control laws. Huckabee supports immigration reform including strong border defenses and visas for skilled workers.

Rick Santorum, Former Senator from Pennsylvania

Rick Santorum served as the Senator from Pennsylvania from 1995-2007 and was the Senate's third-ranking Republican from 2001-2007. He ran in the 2012 Presidential campaign and announced his candidacy for the 2016 Republican nomination in May 2015.

Santorum consistently holds socially conservative views on issues and advocates for "compassionate conservatism." On issues of abortion and same-sex marriage, Santorum is opposed. He was pro-choice for most of his life until his run for Congress in the 90s. He is strongly opposed to same-sex marriage, stating in 2015 that "a decision purporting to redefine marriage flies in the face of the Constitution and is contrary to the natural created order. As people of faith we pledge obedience to our Creator when the State directly conflicts with higher law."

On immigration, Santorum supports strengthening barriers along the US-Mexican border as well as increasing the number of border patrol agents and National Guard along the border. He opposes the right to privacy in regards to contraception and advocates for changing policies toward pornography.

George Pataki, Former Governor of New York

George Pataki served as the Governor of New York from 1995-2006. He announced his candidacy in May 2015.

On issues of foreign policy, Pataki believes that the United States should deploy ground troops to defeat the group identified as the Islamic State. He believes in a stricter stance toward Iran and their nuclear program.

On issues of immigration and same-sex marriage, Pataki supports giving all current illegal immigrants a path to legal status, telling MSNBC that the United States cannot "send 11 million people back in railroad cars and buses and trains.” As governor he signed into law a gay rights bill and believes that Republicans should stop focusing on issues of abortion and same-sex marriage and rather leave those issues up to the states.

Pataki supports repealing the Affordable Care Act, Common Core, and curbing the "overreach" of the Environmental Protection Agency. In the aftermath of the Amtrak derailment, Pataki supports increasing funding for the nation's infrastructure.

Lindsey Graham, Senator from South Carolina

Lindsey Graham has served as the Senator from South Carolina since 2003 and has been the senior Senator from South Carolina since 2005. He announced his candidacy in June 2015.

Graham supports a stronger position on Iraq and its nuclear program and considers the Islamic State to be a legitimate threat to the United States, saying "the likelihood of an attack against our nation is growing by the day.” He is a supporter of Israeli-US relations and vows to cut federal funding to the United Nations if they take action against Israel.

On same-sex marriage, Graham supports an amendment defining marriage between a man and a woman and has spoken out against the Supreme Court striking down same-sex marriage bans. Unlike many of his fellow Republicans, Graham is a strong proponent of making it possible for illegal immigrants to have a pathway to citizenship, telling USA Today “If I were president of the United States, I would veto any bill that did not have a pathway to citizenship."

Rick Perry, Former Governor of Texas

Rick Perry served as the Governor of Texas from 2000-2015 as well as the state's Lieutenant Governor in 1998. He announced his candidacy for President in June 2015.

On issues of health care and abortion, Perry is an outspoken opponent of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act describing it as "socialism on American soil." He is pro-life and during his time as governor, he signed bills restricting abortion procedures and funding.

On crime, Perry has frequently taken a strict stance. He is an advocate for the death penalty and in 2007 signed a bill ending automatic arrest for cannabis possession.

On religion and homosexuality, Perry is Methodist and holds steadfast to his beliefs. He is a believer in intelligent design and supports it being taught in schools alongside evolution. Tied to his faith, Perry is strongly opposed to homosexuality stating in 2008 that he is "no expert on the 'nature versus nurture' debate, but that gays should simply choose abstinence."

Donald Trump, CEO of The Trump Organization

Donald Trump has served as the CEO of The Trump Organization and founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts. He officially announced his candidacy for President in June 2015.

Trump has described himself as pro-life and "against gun control." He spoke out in opposition of a Trans Pacific Partnership but supports stronger negotiations on trade tariffs with China. Trump opposes OPEC and has called for legislation to deal with the organization.

Bobby Jindal, Governor of Louisiana

Bobby Jindal currently serves as the Governor or Lousiana and formerly served as the Vice Chairman of the Republican Governors Association. He officially announced his candidacy in June 2015.

On issues of education and health care, Jindal supports the Common Core Standards Initiative but proposed extensive budget cuts to higher education in Louisiana. He opposes a federally-run, single-payer system but supports efforts by states to reduce the uninsured population. He supports co-payments for Medicare and expanding services for autistic children.

On abortion and same-sex marriage, Jindal has a 100% pro-life voting record. He opposes abortion in general but does not object to emergency contraception in the case of rape. He opposes same sex marriage but believes the states have the right to decide if same-sex marriage should be legal.

Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey

The 55th governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie has held office since January 2010. He officially announced his candidacy in June 2015.

Christie supports a strong national defense and a new generation of weapons to protect US interests on all fronts. He advocates for supporting our allies abroad and standing up to adversaries. On this he has said, "our next Commander-in-Chief is going to make restoring America’s word a priority. We need to make it clear to our friends and allies that we stand with them in the cause of freedom, and against all the gathering threats."

Christie believes in sweeping education reform. He advocated for removing tenure and rewarding good teachers for performance. Christie supports allowing students from low-income communities to attend public school in districts outside their own, with no additional cost to their parents.

Christie describes himself as pro-life but supports abortion in cases of rape, incest, and possible injury to the mother. He supports defunding Planned Parenthood and opposes same-sex marriage, but believes they should have the right to a civil union and the rights that ensue.