The 2016 presidential election is two years away, but several candidates have already hit the campaign trail.

Republicans Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney announced last month that neither would be running. Both are known names in the political world, but senior Davis Barnhill said he thinks it was a smart move for both of the men.

“I do not think Romney would win the nomination,” Barnhill said. “I think Paul Ryan said some things last time he ran that would keep him from getting elected. It is really tough to run, lose and then run again because you have made mistakes and you have to overcome that.”

A name familiar to the Harding community that is showing up on the Republican side is Dr. Ben Carson. Carson spoke on campus last March and has surprised some due to his lack of political experience. Junior Caroline Reed said she appreciates his effort to try to compete, even if he does not get very far.

“I think Ben Carson is just really surprising to everybody,” Reed said. “I do not think that he will get very far because he has never had a political position. I do not know if he knows how to play the game, but I appreciate that someone who is not already in the game is wanting to run and make a difference in political America.”

Hillary Clinton is receiving significant recognition from the Democratic Party. She has not officially announced her candidacy, but senior Garrett Knight said a Political Action Committee called “Ready For Hillary” raised $9 million last year alone to support her campaign. Knight said he thinks, at this point, there is no one who could challenge Clinton on the Democratic side.

“I know Vice President Biden has expressed interest, but there is just no way he will be able to keep up with Clinton and her campaign,” Knight said. “It is not even up and running yet and is attracting a lot of democratic strategists and donors, so I think that it is hers if she says that she wants it.”

Knight is not the only one seeing Clinton’s strength as the campaign season approaches. Barnhill said that he thinks Clinton appears unstoppable and that he does not see anything or anyone with the potential to slow her down.

“I do not necessarily think she would be the best president, but if I had to call the election right now I think she would win hands down,” Barnhill said. “It does not seem like there is any one Republican that can beat her right now, but once there is a nomination and everything one of them might be able to.”

The 2016 presidential election will be the 58th in the country’s history. It will take place on Nov. 8, 2016.