The 2016 presidential race is in full swing and the anticipation of the 45th leader of the United States of America is mounting. Scores of declared and exploring candidates are in overdrive as the February primary elections creep closer.

However, there is something important missing in the presidential race and it is an aspect that is shared throughout multiple facets of American life – diversity.

Presidential-Candidates, an organization geared toward informing the public on nominees running for election, reported that there are about 70 declared and exploring presidential hopefuls from the Republican Party, Democratic Party, and third parties and independents.

Of the 70 total candidates, only five individuals add any variance to the primarily Caucasian candidates and even more shocking, the five aspirants make up less than 8 percent of the nominees.

The lack of diversity in government is echoed not only in the presidency, but also in the 114th Congress.

An article by the New York Times reported that of the 535 voting members of congress, there are 46 black members, 32 Hispanic member, 11 Asian members, and only 2 Native American members.

About nine percent of Congress is black, six percent of Congress is Hispanic, two percent are of Asian heritage and less than one percent is Native American.

Clearly, the amount of diversity in government does not even come close to significant amounts.

For example, the United States House of Representatives national website reported that since 1870, only 146 African Americans have served as representatives, and only nine African Americans have served as senators, including President Barrack Obama.

Still not convinced of the lack of diversity in government? Let’s break it down even further.

There are 50 governors in the United States – 56 if you count U.S territories and the District of Columbia. Of the 56 governors, only David Ige of Hawaii, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, and the governors of the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Island, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and Puerto Rico identify with a race other than Caucasian.

Now, these statistics mean nothing if the core concept is moot, however, there is no debate about it; Government seats and decision-making chairs yielding diversity are pathetically and outrageously underrepresented.

The United States is a melting pot wherein wide breadths of cultures merge, mix and mingle. I find that America is nowhere close to living up to its reputation, and I fear that a neglect of diversity in government stifles a certain ingenuity that no doubt comes with varied viewpoints.