As the 2016 race heats up, I’m constantly asked who I think the Republican nominee could be. The answer is, I don’t know, and it will be Fall before the field starts to gel as voters get a better sense of which candidates appear to have the chops to win. Like many Republicans, I’m really excited about the quality field we’ll have this time around (the best in decades!) and am looking forward to watching the candidates make their case. They each bring a lot to the table, but don’t take my word for it—do your homework.
Almost all the official and soon-to-be-official candidates have written books, put up websites, created advocacy groups and opened social media accounts. It’s important to read what each individual has written, learn about their positions on the issues, listen to their speeches, and consider their visions for our country.
To help get you started, here’s an alphabetical list of the announced and potential 2016 Republican candidates, along with links to some of their books, websites, and social media accounts. I’ll update as more candidates enter the race. I hope you’ll take a look and share with your family and friends. You may even want to share the information with Democrats you know who, unfortunately for them, only have one stale option this time around.
There are just about 300 days until the caucuses and primaries begin. Over the next few months, there will be a lot of noise, good and bad, in the media and from Democrats threatened by our strong field. Do yourself a favor and go directly to the source and start to get to know each of them now. When you find the one for you, volunteer, donate, and get involved! This election will be too important (and too fun) to sit out.
ANNOUNCED (Alphabetically)
Jeb Bush
Website: Jeb2016.com
Twitter: @JebBush
Facebook: facebook.com/JebBush
Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UC_Sc6pW4Xe9rQlBRajGm6yA
Books:
Profiles in Character
Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution
Ben Carson
Website: BenCarson.com
Twitter: @RealBenCarson
Facebook: facebook.com/RealBenCarson
Youtube: youtube.com/user/RealBenCarson
Books:
The Big Picture
Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story
America the Beautiful: Rediscovering What Made This Nation Great
Think Big: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence
One Vote: Make Your Voice Heard
Chris Christie
Website: ChrisChristie.com
Twitter: @ChrisChristie
Facebook: facebook.com/GovChristie
Ted Cruz
Website: TedCruz.org
Twitter: @TedCruz
Facebook: facebook.com/TedCruzPage
Youtube: youtube.com/c/TedCruzChannel
Book: A Time for Truth: Reigniting the Promise of America
Carly Fiorina
Website: CarlyforPresident.com
Twitter: @CarlyFiorina
Facebook: facebook.com/CarlyFiorina
Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UCAhi6Xy4xS9lCp5alcN61nQ
Books:
Tough Choices
Rising to the Challenge: My Leadership Journey
Lindsey Graham
Website: lindseygraham.com
Twitter: @LindseyGrahamSC
Facebook: facebook.com/LindseyGrahamSC
Youtube: youtube.com/user/USSenLindseyGraham
Mike Huckabee
Website: MikeHuckabee.com
Twitter: @GovMikeHuckabee
Facebook: facebook.com/MikeHuckabee
Books:
Character IS the Issue: How People with Integrity Can Revolutionize America
Character Makes a Difference: Where I’m From, Where I’ve Been, and What I Believe
From Hope to Higher Ground: My Vision for Restoring America’s Greatness
Do the Right Thing: Inside the Movement That’s Bringing Common Sense Back to America
A Simple Government: Twelve Things We Really Need from Washington (and a Trillion that We Don’t)
Guns, Grits and Gravy
Bobby Jindal
Website: BobbyJindal.com
Twitter: @BobbyJindal
Facebook: facebook.com/BobbyJindal
Books: Leadership and Crisis
John Kasich
Website: JohnKasich.com
Twitter: @JohnKasich
Facebook: facebook.com/JohnRKasich
Books:
Courage Is Contagious: Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things to Change the Face of America
Stand for Something: The Battle for America’s Soul
Every Other Monday: Twenty Years of Life, Lunch, Faith and Friendship
George Pataki
Website: GeorgePataki.com
Twitter: @GovernorPataki
Facebook: facebook.com/GovGeorgePataki
Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UCcLzMjN1UZcBFIH08iuDuow
Rand Paul
Website: RandPaul.com
Twitter: @RandPaul
Facebook: facebook.com/RandPaul
Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UC_8WUrPbi8clO6sWt_FDvuA
Books:
Tea Party Goes to Washington
Government Bullies: How Everyday Americans Are Being Harassed, Abused, and Imprisoned by the Feds
Taking a Stand: Moving Beyond Partisan Politics to Unite America
Rick Perry
Website: RickPerry.org
Twitter: @GovernorPerry
Facebook: facebook.com/GovernorPerry
Youtube: youtube.com/user/GovernorRickPerry
Books:
Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America from Washington
On My Honor: Why the American Values of the Boy Scouts Are Worth Fighting For
Marco Rubio
Website: MarcoRubio.com
Twitter: @MarcoRubio
Facebook: facebook.com/MarcoRubio
Youtube: youtube.com/user/MarcoRubio
Books:
100 Innovative Ideas for Florida’s Future
An American Son
American Dreams: Restoring Economic Opportunity for Everyone
Rick Santorum
Website: RickSantorum.com
Twitter: @RickSantorum
Facebook: facebook.com/RickSantorum
Youtube: youtube.com/user/RickSantorum
Books:
Rick Santorum
It Takes a Family
Blue Collar Conservatives: Recommitting to an America that Works
Scott Walker
Website: ScottWalker.com
Twitter: @ScottWalker
Facebook: facebook.com/ScottKWalker
Books: Unintimidated: A Governor’s Story and a Nation’s Challenge