2016 Presidential Candidates Who's Who: Republican Edition

By Elana Goodwin on August 9, 2015

Besides Hilary Clinton (who’s a Democrat), the only other presidential candidate I was sure was running was Donald Trump (who is a Republican presidential candidate). And with the first GOP presidential debate already behind us, I think many are wondering who exactly is running in the 2016 election.

Besides the five Democratic candidates (which I covered last week), there are 17 Republican presidential candidates campaigning. (Yes, 17). Of those 17, only 10 were part of the first debate, while the other 7 participated in the “happy hour” debate since they’re the bottom contenders, but in any case, here’s a who’s who guide to all the Republicans running for president.

Photo Credit: DonkeyHotey

1. Jeb Bush.

Former governor of Florida (1999-2007).

*Stance on LGBT Rights: now believes people should show respect for gay people in committed relationships.
*Stance on Abortion: thinks abortions should only be legal in cases of rape, incest, or if mother’s life is in danger.
*Stance on Gun Control: favors right to bear arms.

2. Ben Carson.

Retired Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon who is known for being the first surgeon to successfully separate conjoined twins who were connected at the head.

In his closing remarks at the first GOP debate, he delivered this great zinger:

“I’m the only one to separate Siamese twins, the only one to operate on babies while they are still in their mother’s womb and the only one to take out half of a brain, although you would think if you go to Washington that someone had beat me to it.”

*Stance on LGBT Rights: believes marriage should be between man and woman.
*Stance on Abortion: no abortion for convenience.
*Stance on Gun Control: strongly in favor of 2nd Amendment.

3. Chris Christie.

Governor of New Jersey (2010-present).

*Stance on LGBT Rights: believes marriage should be exclusively between man and woman.
*Stance on Abortion: pro-life.
*Stance on Gun Control: focus on violence control, mental health — not gun control.

4. Ted Cruz.

US Senator from Texas (2013-present).

*Stance on LGBT Rights: believes marriage is between man and woman but thinks legality of same-sex marriage should be left to each state to decide.
*Stance on Abortion: pro-life unless pregnancy endangers mother’s life.
*Stance on Gun Control: supporter of gun rights.

5. Carly Fiorina.

Former CEO of Hewlett-Packard (1999-2005).

*Stance on LGBT Rights: supports Supreme Court ruling but personally believes marriage is between man and woman.
*Stance on Abortion: pro-life except for cases of rape, incest, or if mother’s life is in danger.
*Stance on Gun Control: opposes restrictions on the right to bear arms.

6. Jim Gilmore.

Former Governor of Virginia (1998-2002).

*Stance on LGBT Rights: opposes gay marriage.
*Stance on Abortion: right to abortion in first 8-12 weeks of pregnancy.
*Stance on Gun Control: supports 2nd Amendment rights.

7. Lindsey Graham.

US Senator from South Carolina (2003-present).

*Stance on LGBT Rights: marriage should be defined by states.
*Stance on Abortion: pro-life.
*Stance on Gun Control: thinks current gun laws are “broken.”

Photo Credit: Getty Images 

8. Mike Huckabee.

Former Governor of Arkansas (1996-2007).

*Stance on LGBT Rights: opposes same-sex marriage and civil unions.
*Stance on Abortion: pro-life unless pregnancy endangers mother’s life.
*Stance on Gun Control: anti-gun control.

9. Bobby Jindal.

Governor of Louisiana (2008-present).

*Stance on LGBT Rights: opposed legalization of same-sex marriage.
*Stance on Abortion: pro-life.
*Stance on Gun Control: supports 2nd Amendment rights.

10. John Kasich.

Governor of Ohio (2011-present).

*Stance on LGBT Rights: accepts gay marriage even though it’s counter to his beliefs.
*Stance on Abortion: anti-abortion.
*Stance on Gun Control: opposes restrictions on 2nd Amendment.

11. George Pataki.

Former Governor of New York (1995-2006).

*Stance on LGBT Rights: opposes same-sex marriage, supports gay and lesbian rights.
*Stance on Abortion: pro-choice.
*Stance on Gun Control: pro-gun control.

12. Rand Paul.

US Senator from Kentucky (2011-present).

*Stance on LGBT Rights: opposes but thinks states should get to decide.
*Stance on Abortion: pro-life.
*Stance on Gun Control: opposes any form of gun control.

13. Rick Perry.

Former Governor of Texas (2000-2015).

*Stance on LGBT Rights: believes in traditional marriage.
*Stance on Abortion: pro-life except for cases of rape, incest, or if mother’s life is in danger.
*Stance on Gun Control: opposes restrictions on 2nd Amendment.

14. Marco Rubio.

US Senator from Florida (2011-present).

*Stance on LGBT Rights: pro-traditional marriage.
*Stance on Abortion: pro-life.
*Stance on Gun Control: supports 2nd Amendment.

15. Rick Santorum.

Former US Senator from Pennsylvania (1995-2007).

*Stance on LGBT Rights: opposes same-sex marriage legality.
*Stance on Abortion: anti-abortion.
*Stance on Gun Control: opposed to gun control.

16. Donald Trump.

Former host of “The Apprentice,” real estate tycoon, author, and TV personality/celebrity. He is why you should be following news on the 2016 election — because you never know what completely ridiculous thing will come out of his mouth (or hair).

*Stance on LGBT Rights: doesn’t support same-sex marriage.
*Stance on Abortion: pro-life.
*Stance on Gun Control: supports 2nd Amendment rights.

17. Scott Walker.

Governor of Wisconsin (2011-present).

*Stance on LGBT Rights: believe marriage is between man and woman, thinks Supreme Court ruling was a mistake.
*Stance on Abortion: pro-life.
*Stance on Gun Control: opposes restrictions on 2nd Amendment.

There you have it — a who’s who of the 17 Republican presidential candidates currently campaigning. With more than 20 presidential candidates running overall, the 2016 election is starting to look like an overcrowded dinner party – and there’s still time left for others to announce their candidacy and pull a chair up to the table.

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