The Primary Candidates and Their Campaigns

The primaries did their work paring the field of major presidential candidates. 

On the Republican side Donald Trump emerged as the nominee, having vanquished a field of 16 other candidates.  Before any votes had been cast, Perry (Sept. 11), Walker (Sept. 21), Jindal (Nov. 17), Graham (Dec. 21) and Pataki (Dec. 29) ended their campaigns.  Following the Feb. 1 Iowa caucuses, Huckabee, Paul and Santorum bowed out.  The Feb. 9 New Hamphire primary further thinned the Republican field, knocking out Christie and Fiorina (Feb. 10) and Gilmore (Feb. 12).  Bush ended his effort folllowing the Feb. 20 South Carolina primary.  Carson ended his bid on March 4 after Super Tuesday.  Rubio pulled out on March 15 after a disappointing finish in his home state of Florida.  Cruz quit on May 3 after the Indiana primary, and Kasich followed the next day. 

On the Democratic side Hillary Clinton bested Bernie Sanders to become the nominee.  Webb (Oct. 20) and Chafee (Oct. 23) ended their campaigns before any votes were cast, and O'Malley bowed out following the Feb. 1 Iowa caucuses.

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