The 2016 presidential election has been a hot topic since 2015. It has been a long, bumpy, controversial road and in the final stretch, decisions need to be made. The United States kicked off election season with 23 candidates, 17 republicans and 6 democrats.

From the get-go, Donald Trump stole the show for the Republican party. His strong opinions and large following has gotten him the nomination and Hillary Clinton’s controversial past and past presidential runs has sky-rocketed her to the Democratic nomination. Leading up to this has been nothing but a scary, humorous road. Here are some of the highlights of the 2016 presidential election.  

The Republican party kicked off with 17 potential candidates, and it was a no-brainer who was leading the headlines. Donald Trump was at first considered a joke but he shocked the country by quickly gaining followers. Once that showed in the polls, most of the candidates dropped out, but there were a few who tried even harder. Ted Cruz and John Kasich held on until they were finally shaken off in May.

Ted Cruz was the only republican candidate who came close to Trump. His strong religious beliefs gave him an edge that Trump was lacking, but in the end, it didn’t pan out. It is unclear whether or not the internet destroyed the seriousness of his campaign or he just wasn’t strong enough to stand against Trump. Kasich, however, may have stood a chance, but ultimately the lack of media coverage on his campaign was the downfall.

The Democratic party had two strong candidates from the beginning. Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton led the party for a majority of the time. There was a lot of drama on the left wing between the two. Bernie’s strong opinions and huge millennial following carried him until the day the Democratic nomination was announced. It took a little over a year for Clinton to be named the official candidate for the Democratic party, and many Bernie fans are still crushed. Despite a highly successful convention in Philadelphia, Clinton still finds herself being doubted and untrusted by many Americans.

As of September 12, Clinton is up by five points. However, anything could happen.  With a little less than two months before Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 8, many Americans still find themselves frustrated in both candidates and skeptical as to the direction our country will go under either candidate.