Primaries

U.S. presidential hopefuls launch their primary campaigns in 2015.

Donald Trump holds the lead in the Republican primary race while Ben Carson, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz battle to surpass him; the Republican candidates vie for a coveted endorsement.

It's the New Hampshire Primary in mid-February; a Republican battle for second place; Kasich, Christie, Rubio, Bush and Cruz focus on a strong showing in the Granite State; Cruz seeks a surprise showing to build on his Iowa win.

Jeb Bush needs South Carolina to go his way; Hillary Clinton looks for a big win; Ted Cruz woos Christians; the death of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia leads to tensions when the Republican-led Senate blocks the confirmation of his replacement.

It’s the final push of the primary season, with multiple elections taking place across the country. Kasich has the chance to defeat Trump in his home state of Ohio and he succeeds. Rubio tries to beat Trump at his own game of name-calling, and can’t quite deliver. Then Cruz takes on Trump in Wisconsin and wins, raising the question of whether Trump will make it to the GOP convention in Cleveland with the necessary delegates. Hillary wins a lot of important contests (Ohio, Illinois, New York), but Bernie isn’t going anywhere and his followers are convinced he’s going to go the distance, no matter what obstacles. The GOP race comes down to the Indiana primary and it’s Cruz’s last stand. He makes the unexpected move of naming Carly Fiorina as his Vice President -- a final attempt to secure his name on the Republican ticket. Despite Cruz’s efforts, Trump wins Indiana -- effectively locking up the nomination, leaving Cruz and Kasich to bow out of the race. Clinton decisively wins California and Sanders’ vows to continue his fight in Philadelphia at the Democratic National Convention.

One month after Clinton was declared the winner of California and the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party, Sanders joins her at a rally and announces his endorsement; Trump selects Mike Pence; Clinton chooses Tim Kaine.