The 2016 election may be three still three years away, but
Upwards of 15 conservative pols are quietly pondering White House bids, and several — Marco Rubio, Rand Paul — have already made their national ambitions well-known.
But while most of the top-tier candidates are already familiar — including names like Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Bobby Jindal, and Paul Ryan — several rising stars emerged last weekend as potential dark-horse candidates for the 2016 nod.
Below are the top five Republican names you've never heard of — but are bound to hear about soon:
Courtesy of CSPAN
1. Dr. Ben Carson: The renowned pediatric neurosurgeon became an overnight conservative sensation last month, when he gently criticized President Barack Obama — to his face — during the National Prayer Breakfast. Since then, the Wall Street Journal has run an op-ed titled "Ben Carson for President," and BenCarsonForPresident websites, Facebook pages, and merchandise have cropped up across the Internet.
For now, Carson laughs off speculation that he will mount a White House bid.
"It's nothing that I would be interested in in the slightest — it's never been my intention to go into
And Carson definitely left the door open to a possible White House bid during his speech Saturday, when he announced that he will be retiring from medicine — opening up his schedule for more political pursuits.
2. U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.): Although the Washington Congresswoman is largely unknown outside of her home district, McMorris Rodgers' star has been rising in the Republican Party, which is generally lacking in female leadership.
As chair of the House Republican Conference, McMorris Rodgers is the only woman on the House
So far, McMorris Rodgers hasn't generated much 2016 buzz — but that may change if she continues her ascent to the top ranks of the GOP.
AP
But regardless of whether or not he wins in Virginia this year, Cuccinelli may be tempted to at least explore a White House bid, especially if another far-right social conservative doesn't get in the race.
AP
At CPAC, Scott was a huge hit among conservatives, delivering a powerful — and surprisingly wonkish — speech that mixed stories of his childhood poverty with powerful criticisms of Obama's economic policies.
And while Scott is still relatively green to pursue a White House bid, a lot can change in three years.
AP
5. U.S. Sen.
Like Scott, Cruz is generally considered to be too inexperienced to mount a serious White House bid, and he would occupy the same space in the field as Paul, whom he aligns with on many issues. But regardless of whether he mounts a bid in 2016, Cruz will undoubtedly leave his mark on the Republican Party.
*Correction: A reader correctly points out that Cruz was born in Canada, which would appear to make him ineligible to run for President of the United States.
*Correction Update: Apparently, the Cruz eligibility question is not cut-and-dried. The Texas Senator told Fox News this week that he is, in fact, eligible to be president.