2036 US elections (Seanathan)

Part of the Timeline (Seanathan)
The 2036 United States presidential election was the 63rd quadrennial presidential election, held nominally in November 2036. The Democratic ticket of Texas senator Julian Castro and Hawaiian representative Tulsi Gabbard defeated the Republican ticket of Texan representative Dan Crenshaw and Kentucky governor Rand Paul.

Democratic Primaries
The Democratic primaries was primarily between Texas senator Julian Castro, former Massachusetts governor Joe Kennedy III, and New York senator Alexandria-Ocasio Cortez.

In May, Ocasio-Cortez pulled out of the race. She said.

"To bring an end to eight years of republican rule we need someone who can unite all democrats, progressive or moderate. And I am not that person. Which is why I am dropping out of this race and endorsing Julian Castro to represent the Democratic party this fall."

Julian Castro won overall, largely due to this.

Castro's vice presidential shortlist included Michigan representative Radisha Tlaib, Hawaiian representative Tulsi Gabbard, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez herself, and he ended up choosing Tulsi Gabbard.

Republican Primaries
On the Republican side, there was a battle between former South Dakota governor Kristi Noem, Texas representative Dan Crenshaw, and Missouri governor Josh Hawley. Other Candidates included former US senator Mike Lee. Hawley won the Iowa and New Hamsphire caucuses but Dan Crenshaw pulled ahead in the end.

Crenshaw's vice presidential shortlist included Kristi Noem and Kentucky governor Rand Paul and he ended up choosing the latter.

Other Parties
The Libertarian Party won around 1.7% of the Popular Vote. Their presidential ticket consisted of former Michigan Senator Justin Amash and their vice president ticket was Adam Kokesh.

The Green Party won around 0.7% of the Popular Vote. Their presidential ticket consisted of activist Rami Nashashibi and their vice president ticket was [black activist]. This provided a solid choice for Muslims who felt alienated by Tulsi Gabbard's negative views on Muslims.

Other parties won 0.5% of the popular vote, including the Constitution party and the party for Socialism and Liberation.

Climate Change
Climate change is still a key issue.

Democrats argue America has fallen behind on its duty to preserve earth, while some Republicans neglect the idea of global warming in the first place.

Most Republicans have accepted climate change as more than a left-wing hoax, but that doesn't mean they support mass legislation that may harm the economy or fossil fuel industry.

Dan Crenshaw himself is a denier, and it is taking a toll on earth as a whole when the largest economy is making little effort to save the environment.

Militarization of Space
America and China have both begun to set up bases on the moon and Mars, and missions are underway to the far planets of the solar system.

A second space race may ensue, between the USA and China. Russia, the EU and India could also be major players.

But does military have a place in the tranquility of space, and should our bases on planets yonder be armed?

The space force has never seen this much non-satirical coverage before, because now more than ever, the state of America could depend on them.

Automation and Privacy
Security cameras, government databases, and libertarians believe that their privacy is at risk than ever before.

Robots are becoming good enough to replace and outperform most humans in manufacturing jobs, and said humans don't want their jobs gone.

Automation is beginning to gain support among democrats. Castro supported automation, and it caused workers in the rust belt and elsewhere to lean Republican.

Immigration and Refugee Crisis
Climate Change has caused an increase in refugees from South and Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Tulsi Gabbard appeals to Indian and Pacific island voters who were forced to flee into North America from their sinking abodes.

Islam has overtaken Judaism as the third largest religion in the US, only behind Christianity and Atheism.

Republicans fear a future in which white Americans are just a minority.

Foreign Policy
Tensions are rising between India and China.

Republicans believe America should keep its own interests as a priority.

Democrats believe America should keep its allies interests in mind and consider developing nations.

With Globalism versus Nationalism splitting the nation in two, the USA will have to make a choice.

Puerto Rico and DC
Democrats call for Puerto Rico and Washington DC to become states.

Republicans believe they just want to get more electoral votes for themselves.

And then the issue of statehood and independence for other US territories, like American Samoa

Tulsi Gabbard herself was born and raised in American Samoa, in a large section of the population is in the military yet they have no choice in voting for their commander-in-chief.

Debates
Both presidential candidates performed well in the debates.

Campaign Trail
Dan Crenshaw made notoriously rascist comments against Hispanic democrat candidates Julian Castro and AOC, and questioned both of their status as American citizens.

He also claimed relations between Julian Castro and infamous Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, stating that Julian Castro was going to turn the US into Cuba. Many Cuban Floridians took this into account, and he won the state.

Election Night
Julian Castro picked up support from Hispanic and Latino voters. This gave him victories in the swing states of Arizona, and Nevada, even managing to flip Texas. He also won in North Carolina and Georgia.

Dan Crenshaw won rust belt states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and even Minnesota. He won Florida with support from Cuban voters.

The results came in the next morning, in a landslide victory for the democrats. It ended up with 308 electoral votes for Castro and 230 for Crenshaw.

Tulsi Gabbard became the first Hindu, Samoan, and non-US state born vice president.