Stable of 2016 Presidential Candidates Ever Changing

Carly Fiorina Fiorina plans to announce her presidential campaign May 4 online and will hold a conference call for the national press, according to reports. The Republican was formerly the chief executive of Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HPQ), but has never held elected office. “This election is about possibilities. Can we restore possibilities to every American, regardless of their circumstances?,” said Fiorina on Opening Bell with Maria Bartiromo.  Sources: Dow Jones Newswires, Opening Bell with Maria Bartiromo (Reuters)

Dr. Ben Carson The retired physician said he will make a major announcement on May 4, the same day that fellow Republican Carly Fiorina plans to announce her campaign. Carson would be the first African-American seeking a 2016 GOP presidential nomination.  Source: Reuters (Reuters)

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (TX) Cruz announced his candidacy on March 23, making him the first Republican to do so ahead of the 2016 election. The senator raised $4.3 million in the first nine days after beginning his campaign. He has strong beliefs regarding the Second Amendment, having said that it is “the ultimate check against governmental tyranny.”  Sources: Cruz Campaign Press Release//April 16 2015, NY Times// Ted Cruz's Strange Gun Argument//April 17 2015 (Reuters)

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (KY) Paul is a first-term senator and self-declared libertarian. He was the second major Republican to jump into the 2016 race after Sen. Ted Cruz. The 52-year-old, who once held a career as an eye surgeon, is the son of former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul.  Source: Reuters (Reuters)

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (FL) The 43-year-old Florida senator officially launched his presidential campaign in mid-April. He is a first-generation immigrant whose parents left Cuba in the 1950s. Rubio has reportedly received more than $40 million in commitments from donors for the 2016 Republican primary. Prior to the announcement, Rubio told FoxBusiness.com ‘Companies Need to Boost Wages and Training.’  Source: Reuters   (Reuters)

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (AR) Huckabee revealed to Fox News his plans to announce on May 5 in his hometown of Hope, AR whether he will run for president in 2016 or not. He first ran in the 2008 Republican primary, and later hosted a Fox News television show. The former Baptist pastor holds strong views on social issues including abortion rights and gay marriage.  Source: Reuters (Reuters)

Former IRS Commissioner Mark Everson Everson announced his bid for president on March 5. “I’m going to start a candid, long overdue, conversation with the American people about our problems and how to tackle them,” he said. The Republican served as the leader of the IRS from 2003 to 2007 and as deputy director at the White House Budget Office from 2002 to 2003.  Sources: Des Moines Register, Forbes.com (MarkforAmerica.com)

Former U.S. Secretary of State, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (NY) Probably the most well-known person to throw their hat into the ring, Clinton served as a U.S. senator in New York and as Secretary of State under President Obama’s administration. She ran in the Democratic primary in 2008, and was the only female presidential candidate in the 2016 race until recent reports surfaced that businesswoman Carly Fiorina planned to announce a bid.  Source: WSJ.com (REUTERS)

Former Gov. Lincoln Chafee (RI) Chafee served as a U.S. senator from Rhode Island from 1999 to 2007 and as governor of Rhode Island from 2011 to 2015.  He announced on April 9 that he was setting up a presidential exploratory committee. Chafee, who initially served in the Senate as a Republican, was the only member of his former party to vote against the use of military force in Iraq.  Source: Washington Post (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb (VA) The former U.S. senator announced on Nov. 19, 2014 that he was setting up a presidential exploratory committee. Webb served as a Marine lieutenant in Vietnam and as Secretary of the Navy from 1987-1988, before his time in the Senate. The Democrat has fervently opposed recent foreign military invasions and encouraged efforts to tame Wall Street.  Source: CBS News (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)