Summary Answer
In the 2016 general election, Hillary Clinton ran for president alongside Tim Kaine as her vice president. In the Democratic primary, Clinton competed against Bernie Sanders before becoming the nominee. Notable surrogates and campaign leaders—such as Keith Ellison, Elizabeth Warren, and others—effectively ran parts of the grassroots and messaging effort, though they did not hold the top ticket slots. This overview lists the major candidates on and closely aligned with the Clinton campaign, their roles, and the context in which they ran.
2016 Democratic Presidential Primary Candidates
Before securing the Democratic nomination, Hillary Clinton faced meaningful competition in the primary. The two most prominent candidates were:
- Hillary Clinton
- Bernie Sanders
Minor candidates also appeared on primary ballots in various states, but Clinton and Sanders were the only contenders who mounted a national-scale campaign and won delegates. Clinton’s primary race against Sanders was one of the closest in recent history, lasting into the summer of 2016 and shaping the party’s platform and messaging.
2016 General Election Ticket
In the November 2016 general election, the Democratic ticket was:
| Position | Candidate | State on Ticket | Role on Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Hillary Clinton | New York | Top of ticket; nominee for President |
| Vice President | Tim Kaine | Virginia | Nominee for Vice President |
Clinton was the first woman to be nominated for president by a major U.S. party. Tim Kaine, a former governor of Virginia and Democratic National Committee chair, was selected to balance the ticket geographically and ideologically.
Key Surrogates and Allies Who Effectively Ran at Scale
While “who ran with Hillary Clinton” formally refers to the top-of-ticket candidates, many surrogates functioned as de facto campaign leaders on the ground, in media, and in fundraising. Their high-profile advocacy and messaging were central to Clinton’s campaign. Among the most prominent were:
- Elizabeth Warren (Senator, Massachusetts)
- Bernie Sanders (Senator, Vermont; primary opponent who endorsed Clinton)
- Barack Obama (President, United States)
- Joe Biden (Vice President, United States)
- Keith Ellison (Attorney General, Minnesota; prominent surrogate and DNC deputy chair)
These figures delivered speeches, fundraised, and appeared in media to defend Clinton’s record and policy positions. Their involvement reflected both coalition-building and the effort to consolidate support after a competitive primary.
Formal Running Mates vs. High-Profile Supporters
It’s important to distinguish between the official presidential ticket and the broader network of high-profile supporters. Only Clinton and Kaine appeared on the general election ballot as candidates for president and vice president. Supporters like Warren and Ellison did not change their own offices to run as Clinton’s running mates; rather, they campaigned on her behalf while remaining in their existing roles. Confusing these roles can mischaracterize how campaigns are structured and how candidates are listed on ballots.
Ballot Access and Minor Candidates
In each state, third-party and independent candidates also appeared on the ballot. The most notable alternative presidential candidates in 2016 included:
| Candidate | Party | Typical Role on State Ballots |
|---|---|---|
| Gary Johnson | Libertarian | President; on most state ballots |
| Jill Stein | Green | President; on many state ballots |
| Evan McMullin (write-in) | Independent | President (write-in); select states |
While these candidates appeared alongside Clinton on many state ballots, she and Kaine were the only ones running as the Democratic nominees for president and vice president.
Context: How a U.S. General Election Ticket Works
In U.S. presidential elections, voters select a slate of electors pledged to a candidate. The candidate who wins a state’s popular vote (with rare exceptions) receives that state’s electoral votes, awarded as a block. This means that every running mate on a winning ticket receives the same number of electoral votes as the top candidate. Understanding this structure helps clarify why only one official vice president appears on a ticket—and why surrogates, while influential, are not listed as running mates.
Legacy and Takeaways
The 2016 Democratic ticket of Clinton and Kaine represented a traditional pairing of a seasoned politician and a longtime elected official. The campaign’s narrative was shaped not only by the top candidates but also by high-profile surrogates who spoke nationally and organized locally. Their shared policy goals and endorsements gave coherence to a broad coalition. For voters, distinguishing between the formal ticket and allied surrogates is essential to understanding how campaigns are organized, how candidates appear on ballots, and how political coalitions function over an election cycle.