The competition is heating up for next year's U.S. presidential race, with several Democratic and Republican hopefuls on board.

Five Democratic candidates have declared candidacy and filed papers with the Federal Election Commission: Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel, Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich and former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack.

On the other end, Republicans have two official candidates: Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback and Chicago accountant and investor John Cox.

Both parties have many more potential candidates who have announced intent to run or have formed presidential exploratory committees and the start of a campaign.

The Daily Aztec