Although the 2016 election will not occur until November of that year, the race is already heating up. Candidates are coming out of the woodwork and jockeying for their position in the race. Which ones would benefit the manufactured housing industry the most?
Below are some possible candidates:
Republicans
- Jeb Bush – This former governor of Florida is following the family tradition and has resigned all his board member positions. This seems to indicate that he is serious.
- Mitt Romney – Although he lost to Obama, this week he announced to his donors that he wants to run again, and a poll released today indicates he leads in Iowa over other hopefuls. During his campaign in 2012, he and running mate Paul Ryan made campaign stops at factories that built modular homes, and also visited the Villages, a huge MH Community in Florida. It’s rumored that he used to have MH connected investments.
- Chris Christie – The current governor of New Jersey has been hit with a few alledged scandals and people wonder about his health conditions. Nevertheless, most think he will run for president.
- Ted Cruz – Now a senator from Texas, Cruz has some devoted followers on the right while experiencing strong opposition from others who think he is too extreme.
- Bobby Jindal – Governor of Louisiana since 2008. Served in U.S. House from 2004 to 2008. On January 6, he returned to Iowa to meet with local pastors and again look for support among Christian evangelicals for a possible White House campaign.
- Rand Paul –This Republican Senator from Kentucky has become the first Republican to assemble a network in all 50 states as a precursor to a 2016 presidential run.
- Paul Ryan – has announced he will focus on his congressional budget office role and has no interest in running. He was Romney’s running mate from 2012 has served in the U.S. House from 1998 to present representing Wisconsin.
- Rick Perry – The “oops” during the 2012 presidential hopefuls debate retiring Governor of Texas looks determined to run and win the presidency, following in the footsteps of his predecessor, George W. Bush. He has worked at polishing his image and more TV time.
- Marco Rubio – U.S. Senator representing Florida, 2008 to present announced on January 9 that his family is on board for a White House campaign in 2016. He insists that no amount of money Jeb Bush raises will deter him from running.
- Carly Fiorina – Former CEO of Hewlett-Packard and California senatorial candidate in 2010, says she will announce whether she is running for president in March or April
Democrats
- Hillary Clinton – This former first lady, senator and Secretary of State has many followers, but detractors as well. There is a similar dynasty resistence to her as with Jeb Bush.
- Joe Biden – The current Vice President has been waiting in the wings for many years. Will he take the plunge and run in 2016?
- Andrew Cuomo – The present Governor of New York has not declared if he will run, but some think that is a possibility.
- Jim Webb – There are Democratic strategists who think this former Virginia U.S. Senator and Secretary of the Navy would make a good candidate.
- Elizabeth Warren – Lots of people want this Senator from Massachusetts to run for president, but she says she is happy being a senator and feels that she can do more good in that office.
- Martin O’Malley – Outgoing governor of Maryland says he is seriously considering running for president and will announce his decision in the spring.
Independents
- Bernie Sanders – This present Senator from Vermont also served in the U.S. House from 1990 to 2006. He represents the more liberal / progressive voters in the country. He has said he might run for president in 2016.
(Graphic Credit: Texas Tribune)
