The race to be America’s next President is rising to the top of everyone’s mind.  The election is this year and the candidates have brought controversy along with them.  The election is important to high school students because the next President will decide many factors of students’ lives such as college tuition, minimum wage, and education methods, such as Common Core.  As of today, here are the top 5 candidates for the election in November this year.

Hillary Clinton (Democratic)

Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton earned a law degree from Yale University.  She is married to former President Bill Clinton. She served as the first lady from 1993-2001.  Clinton served on the US Senate in 2001 and was the 67th U.S. Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013.  She represents the Democratic party.

Here are some of Clinton’s key beliefs:

• Supports to increase minimum wage but has not committed to an exact number
• Supports death penalty
• Supports the war on Iraq
• Supports same sex marriage and LGBT+ equality
• Supports the Patriot Act
• Supports women’s rights
• Liberal with gun control

For more information on Hillary Clinton, visit https://www.hillaryclinton.com .

Bernie Sanders (Democratic-Socialist)

Bernard “Bernie” Sanders is a Democratic Socialist who first served as the mayor of Burlington, Vermont for four terms.  He earned a seat in the House of Representatives in 1990.  He was elected into the Senate in 2006.  He has been known for his open voice against controversial bills and involvement in civil rights advancement.  His slogan “Not the Billionaires” and “Feel the Bern” have been widespread in campaigning and social media.

Here are some of Sanders’ key beliefs:

• Supports to raise minimum wage to $15 per hour
• Supports to make college tuition free and debt free
• Disagrees with war on Iraq
• Disagrees with death penalty
• Supports same sex marriage and LGBT+ equality
• Disagrees with Patriot Act
• Supports to break up big banks
• Supports racial justice
• Moderate with gun control
• Supports legalization of marijuana

For more information on Bernie Sanders, visit https://berniesanders.com/ .

Donald Trump (Republican)

Donald John Trump is a billionaire real estate tycoon who owns Trump Organization.  Trump has a degree in economics from University of Pennsylvania.  He owns many corporate buildings and businesses throughout America. He is seeking the Republican nomination.

Here are some of Trump’s key beliefs:

• Liberal with gun control
• Disagrees with Climate Change
• Supports deportation of all undocumented immigrants
• Disagrees with Obama Care
• Pro-life
• Disagrees with same sex marriage
• Supports to defund Planned Parenthood

For more information on Donald Trump, visit https://www.donaldjtrump.com .

Ted Cruz (Republican)

Rafael Edward “Ted” Cruz is a Harvard Graduate and took office as the junior Senator for Texas in 2013.  He is a conservative Republican.  He is known for his public speaking skills. He recently won the Iowa Caucus for the Republican nomination.

Here are some of Cruz’s key beliefs:

• Supports to end Common Core
• Supports to repeal Obama Care
• Pro-life
• Supports to have states decide same sex marriage validity
• Liberal with gun control
• Supports war on ISIS

For more information on Ted Cruz, visit https://www.tedcruz.org/about/ .

Marco Rubio (Republican)

Marco Rubio is a Cuban-born conservative Republican who earned a law degree from the University of Miami.  In 1999, he was elected to the House of Representatives from Florida. In 2009, he was elected into the U.S. Senate.  He is said to be a “rising star” of the Republican party.

Here are some of Rubio’s key beliefs:

• Liberal with gun control
• Supports to stop Common Core
• Supports to repeal Obama Care
• Supports to secure U.S. border
• Pro-life
• Supports the idea of Climate Change
• Disagrees with same sex marriage

For more information on Marco Rubio, visit https://marcorubio.com .

This year’s candidate pool has candidates with many different views and is different than usual.  So, who do YOU side with?