This article contains lists of candidates associated with the 2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries for the 2016 United States presidential election.
Major candidates Individuals included in this section had taken one or more of the following actions: formally announced their candidacy, or filed as a candidate with Federal Election Commission (FEC) (for other than exploratory purposes), and were included in at least five independent national polls.
Five of the major candidates were invited to participate in at least one Democratic Party-sanctioned debate: Lincoln Chafee, Hillary Clinton, Martin O'Malley, Bernie Sanders, and Jim Webb.
Nominee Candidate Most recent position State Announced Candidacy Estimated delegate votes Contests won 67th U.S. Secretary of State (2009–13) April 12, 2015 (Campaign • Positions)FEC Filing Pledged delegates 2205 / 4051 () 34 Superdelegate endorsements 570½ / 712 () Total convention votes 2,842 / 4763 ()
Candidates who won one or more contests The following candidate won primaries and received delegates in most or all state primaries and caucuses.
Candidate Most recent position State Announced Candidacy Estimated delegate votes Contests won U.S. Senator from Vermont (2007–present) May 26, 2015 (Campaign • Positions)FEC Filing Pledged delegates 1846 / 4051 () 23 Superdelegate endorsements 43½ / 712 () Total convention votes 1,865 / 4763 ()
Major candidates who withdrew during the primaries The following individual announced a major candidacy for president but withdrew at some point after the Iowa Caucuses. Candidate Most recent position State Announced Withdrew Candidacy Popularvote DelegatesRef Martin O'Malley 61stGovernor of Maryland (2007–2015) May 30, 2015 February 1, 2016 (Campaign • Website )FEC Filing 110,423 Pledged delegates 0 / 4051 () Superdelegate endorsements 1 / 712 () Total convention votes 0 / 4763 ()
Major candidates who withdrew before the primaries The following individuals were recognized by the media as major candidates for president but withdrew from the race after the first debate. Some received write-in votes. They are listed alphabetically. Candidate Most recent position State Announced Withdrew Candidacy Write-invotesRef Lincoln Chafee74thGovernor of Rhode Island (2011–2015)(Campaign • Website)FEC filing0Merica, Dan; LoBianco, Tom (October 23, 2015) "Lincoln Chafee drops out of Democratic primary race", CNN.com. Retrieved October 23, 2015. Lawrence LessigProfessor of Law at Harvard Law School (2009–present)(Campaign • Website )FEC filing 3 Jim WebbUnited States Senator from Virginia (2007–2013) (Campaign • Website)FEC filingAmended FEC filing (party changed to Independent)4
Other candidates
On the ballot in multiple states
The following notable individuals were on the ballot in at least five states.
Candidate Most recent position State AnnouncedCandidacy Ballot status Vote totalRef Rocky De La FuenteBusinessman(Campaign • Website)FEC filingAL, AK, AS, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DA, DE, GU, HI, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, TX, UT, VT, WV, WI, WY 67,366 article from The Herald archived at: Willie Wilson Businessman2015 Chicago mayoral candidate(Website)FEC FilingCA, IL, LA, MO, SC, TX 25,796 Keith Russell Judd CandidateFEC filingCA, LA, MO, NH, OK, TX, WV20,305Michael Alan SteinbergLawyerNovember 19, 2013 AZ, CA, GA, LA, NH, OK 20,126 John Wolfe Jr.AttorneyDemocratic Party nominee for U.S. House of Representatives for Tennessee's 3rd congressional district, 2002, 2004, 2010November 9, 2015 AR, CA, NH, LA, MO 7,352
In addition, the following other candidates were on the ballot in more than one state:
Star Locke of Texas, on the ballot in New Hampshire, Texas, and Oklahoma. received a total of 5,201 votes. Steve Burke of New York, on the ballot in New Hampshire and Louisiana, received 4,892 votes. Henry Hewes of New York, on the ballot in Louisiana, New Hampshire, Arizona, and Missouri, received 3,319 votes. Jon Adams of New York is on the ballot in Missouri and New Hampshire, received 486 votes. James Valentine of Miami Beach, Florida, on the ballot in both Arkansas and New Hampshire, received 1,710 votes. Mark Stewart Greenstein of Connecticut was on the ballot in New Hampshire and Utah. He received 41 votes.
On ballot in a single state
Illinois Lawrence "Larry Joe" Cohen of Illinois (2,407 votes) David Formhals of Illinois (25 votes) Brian James O'Neill of Illinois (2 votes) Sources: Illinois Democrat and Candidates from The Green Papers
New Hampshire Vermin Supreme of Maryland; performance artist and perennial candidate (265 votes) David John Thistle of New Hampshire (223 votes) Graham Schwass of Massachusetts (142 votes) Lloyd Kelso of North Carolina (46 votes) Eric Elbot of Massachusetts (36 votes) William D. French of Pennsylvania (29 votes) Raymond Michael Moroz of New York (27 votes) Edward T. O’Donnell, Jr. of Pennsylvania (26 votes) Robert Lovitt of Kentucky (21 votes) William H. McGaughey, Jr. of Minnesota (19 votes) Edward Sonnino of New York (17 votes) Sam Sloan of New York; former chess administrator and 2012 Libertarian Party candidate (15 votes) Brock C. Hutton of Maryland (14 votes) Steven Roy Lipscomb of New Mexico (14 votes) Richard Lyons Weil of Colorado (8 votes) Source: New Hampshire Democrat and Candidates from The Green Papers
Rhode Island Mark Stewart of New Hampshire (236 votes) Source: Rhode Island Democrat and Candidates from The Green Papers
Texas Calvis L. Hawes of Texas (2,017 votes) Source: Texas Democrat and Candidates from The Green Papers
West Virginia Paul T. Farrell Jr. of West Virginia; an attorney (21,694 votes) Source: West Virginia Democrat and Candidates from The Green Papers
Candidates not on any primary ballot Over a thousand people sent the requisite paperwork to the Federal Election Commission declaring themselves candidates for President.
Among them were the following notable people: Name Born Current/previous positions State Announced Candidacy Ref Jeff Boss New York City, New York Perennial candidate9/11 Truther(Website)FEC Filing Harry Braun Compton, California Energy consultantKingman Daily Miner – Google News Archive Search(Website)FEC Filing David Mills AuthorFEC Filing Robby Wells Bartow, Georgia Fmr. head football coach, Savannah State University(Website)FEC FilingBurns, Michael (October 30, 2014) "Presidential candidate visits his old home in Greer", The Greenville News. Retrieved November 24, 2014.Palmes-Dennis, Susan (November 1, 2013) "Democratic presidential aspirant lays out game plan for US", Sun.Star. Retrieved November 22, 2013Sun Star article archived at:
Alternate ballot options Several primaries provided ballot options to voters to cast votes for "no preference" and/or "uncommitted". "No preference" received 45,331 votes (0.27% of the popular vote), and 'uncommitted' received 40,548 votes (0.24% of the popular vote), respectively placing them 4th and 5th in the popular vote.
Potential candidates who did not run
Speculated The following people were the focus of presidential speculation in multiple media reports during the 2016 election cycle.
Mike Beebe, Governor of Arkansas 2007–2015; Attorney General of Arkansas 2003–2007 Steve Beshear, Governor of Kentucky 2007–2015; Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky 1983–1987; Attorney General of Kentucky 1980–1983Gibson, Ginger (January 21, 2015) "Election 2016: Hillary Clinton Isn't The Democrats' Only Candidate", International Business Times. Retrieved January 21, 2015.(March 14, 2015) "21 Democrats who could (maybe) take Hillary Clinton's place in 2016", The Washington Examiner. Jerry Brown, Governor of California 2011–2019 and 1975–1983; presidential candidate in 1976, 1980, and 1992Warren, Michael (September 17, 2015) "Jerry Brown Considering Run For President?", Weekly Standard. Retrieved September 18, 2015. Steve Bullock, Governor of Montana 2013-2021; Attorney General of Montana 2009–2013Jason Linkins (July 13, 2014) "The Brutalist Guide To 2016's Democratic Contenders (Not Named Hillary Clinton)", The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 2, 2014. Russ Feingold, nominee for U.S. Senate in 2016; U.S. Special Representative for the African Great Lakes region 2013–2015; U.S. Senator from Wisconsin 1993–2011Cooper, Ryan (June 13, 2014) "Why Russ Feingold should challenge Hillary Clinton in 2016", The Week. Retrieved June 18, 2014. Al Gore, Vice President of the United States 1993–2001; Democratic Party presidential nominee in 2000; U.S. Senator from Tennessee 1985–1993Klein, Rick (August 13, 2015) Al Gore's Friends and Former Aides Eyeing 2016 Race", ABC. Retrieved August 14, 2015.Allen, Cooper (August 13, 2015) "Gore 2016? Rumors were flying after new report", USA Today. Retrieved August 14, 2015.Jesse, Byrnes (August 13, 2015) "Report: Al Gore insiders chatting potential 2016 bid", The Hill. Retrieved August 14, 2015. Christine Gregoire, Governor of Washington 2005–2013; Attorney General of Washington 1993–2005"DNC Chairwoman: Hillary Only Woman Who Could Win in '16", U.S. News & World Report. May 8, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014.Lavender, Paige (November 27, 2013) "Bernie Sanders Reveals Why He Might Run For President In 2016", (see "Which Women Might Run In 2016?" at bottom of article) The Huffington Post. Retrieved May 12, 2014. Luis Gutiérrez, U.S. Representative from Illinois 1993–2019; Member of the Chicago City Council 1986–1992Carlson, Erin (November 13, 2014) "Is Luis Gutierrez Running for President?", NBC Chicago. Retrieved November 21, 2014.Reid, Brandon (January 30, 2015) "Mitt Romney won't run in 2016" , The Rock River Times. Retrieved February 10, 2015. Kamala Harris, nominee for U.S. Senate in 2016, Attorney General of California 2011–2017Lavender, Paige (November 27, 2013) "Bernie Sanders Reveals Why He Might Run For President In 2016", (see "Which Women Might Run In 2016?" at bottom of article) The Huffington Post. Retrieved March 12, 2014. Maggie Hassan, nominee for U.S. Senate in 2016, Governor of New Hampshire 2013–2017Mantle, Larry (August 20, 2014) "Sixty-five people thinking about running for president. Two with Alabama ties on list", The Birmingham News. Retrieved October 30, 2014. Gary Locke, United States Ambassador to China 2011–2014; United States Secretary of Commerce 2009–2011; Governor of Washington 1997–2005Skorheim, Jamie (December 2, 2013) "Gary Locke for president?", Mynorthwest.com. Retrieved February 25, 2014. Jack Markell, Governor of Delaware 2009–2017; Treasurer of Delaware 1993–2009Gerace, Frank (March 3, 2015) "Pundit says Markell could be 2016 presidential 'dark horse'" , WDEL 1150AM. Retrieved March 4, 2015.Yearick, Bob (April 22, 2015) "Presidential Campaign 2016: Republican Candidates Will Appeal to Religious Voters" , National Catholic Register. Retrieved April 23, 2015. William H. McRaven, retired Admiral and former Commander of the United States Special Operations CommandEgan, John (July 17, 2014) "Meet the Texan mastermind behind Osama bin Laden capture: Is UT chancellor position next?", Culture Map Austin. Retrieved October 2, 2014.Quigley, Bernie (August 8, 2014) "Adm. McRaven for president", The Hill. Retrieved October 2, 2014. Janet Napolitano, President of the University of California since 2013; U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security 2009–2013; Governor of Arizona 2003–2009Epstein, Jennifer (March 2, 2015) "Emily's List is ready for Hillary" , The McClatchy Company. Retrieved March 5, 2015. Jay Nixon, Governor of Missouri 2009–2017; Attorney General of Missouri 1993–2009Wise, Lindsay, and Helling, Dave (August 22, 2014) "In Ferguson, mixed reviews for Gov. Nixon, good for Sen. McCaskill" , The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved October 2, 2014. George Noory, radio talk show hostSpeigel, Lee (October 5, 2015) "Space Aliens Be Warned: George Noory Is Eyeing The Presidency", The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 8, 2015.