By, Brandon Peddle
It's early in the political race, yet it has quickly become a race unlike any other from recent memory with a group of non-traditional candidates changing the course of the election.
On the Republican side: Donald Trump, an outspoken business mogul with a knack for dominating headlines; Ben Carson, a former director of Pediatric Neurosurgery who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom; and Carly Fiorina, the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard. All three are different candidates but similar in that they have never held public office.
Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, there's Bernie Sanders, who has made waves in what was once Hilary Clinton's race to lose. A self-described socialist, the Vermont Senator has long been considered an outsider with his progressive views. He has been gaining popularity throughout the summer, with millennials in particular.
What's caused such a sudden shift? It seems that both sides are equally fed up with the government, albeit for separate reasons. Republican voters are tired of constantly hearing about immigration reform, but seeing no results. As for Democrats, most are dissatisfied with Clinton's e-mail scandal. They are both equally fed-up with feeling that they're not being represented properly.
The qualities associated with candidates we once came to admire are now ones we look away from. Experience is put aside to find a breath of fresh air away from the status quo. We are no longer looking for candidates to continue the usual narrative, or even say the right things (i.e. Donald Trump). Voters simply want results.
It remains to be seen if the popularity of these non-politicians will endure. According to a CBS News/YouGov poll, Senator Sanders is ahead of former Secretary of State Clinton by 22 points in New Hampshire, while Trump is ahead of Carson by 28 points.
It's important not to look too deep into these polls, but it is still hard to ignore the traction these political outsiders are gaining. As the election draws closer it will be interesting to see if these candidates are here to stay or if it is simply just a phase early in the election season.