Although the primary election will not take place for about a year, the campaigns for the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election are already being organized. The first female U.S. President could be on the horizon, as former Secretary of State and First Lady, Hillary Clinton, declared herself a Democratic candidate. Even though Joe Biden has not declared himself a candidate, the Vice President is a potential candidate. As for the Republicans, Florida Senator Marco Rubio is a candidate, as well as, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. There are many other candidates from these political parties, as well as other parties. The primary election date differs by state, but Delaware’s promary will take place next April. The national election will take place on November 8, 2016. Padua students have their own opinions on the election and the candidates.

Michelle Little (’16) will be 18 years old by the 2016 presidential election, so she will be allowed to vote. She thinks that Hillary Clinton may be a good president. “Having a female president could be a good change for America,” Michelle says, “but that doesn’t mean I’ll definitely vote for Hillary Clinton.” Michelle doesn’t have a set opinion on the other candidates yet because she doesn’t know enough about them. As for what she wants in a president, Michelle explains that she wants “someone who doesn’t just go with his/her party’s stance on a subject.”

Angel Sawicki (’18) says she hasn’t been paying much attention to the election, but she agrees that a woman being in office would be good for America. She says, “I think that we should really think about what it means to have equal rights. Men shouldn’t still be considered superior towards women.” She wants to see a woman get the opportunity to lead the country. Angel also says that “being a president not only means you must be a dignified leader, but you must also be able to think about the greater good of the country.”

Although I will not be old enough to vote, I have heard about some of the candidates, and I am looking forward to the election. I believe that if a woman is in office, the problems associated with gender inequality may begin to subside. Before I can say who I want to be the next President, however, I need to know what each candidate stands for and what he/she plans to do in office.