Republican field grows with 2 more presidential bids

Two political outsiders have expanded the Republican field of White House hopefuls as former technology executive Carly Fiorina announced she’s running for president and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson was set to launch his bid as well on Monday. Fiorina is likely to be the only prominent woman to seek the party’s nomination, with Carson the only likely African-American.

Both Fiorina and Carson have the potential to help the Republican win over a more diverse group of supporters in 2016.

Both candidates begin the race as underdogs in a campaign expected to feature several seasoned politicians, among them former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, along with Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Yet while those prospects have claimed much of the early attention and favor from donors, the Republican race is a wide-open contest that could ultimately feature as many as two dozen major candidates.

— AP