FACTBOX: Declared presidential candidates in 2008

(Reuters) - With former Wisconsin Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson formally announcing his presidential bid on Wednesday, here are the declared U.S. presidential candidates for the Democratic and Republican Party nominations for the 2008 election. In alphabetical order:

DEMOCRATS:

Announced candidates:

Joseph Biden, U.S. senator from Delaware and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. senator from New York and former first lady.

Christopher Dodd, U.S. senator from Connecticut and chairman of the Senate Banking Committee.

John Edwards, former U.S. senator from North Carolina and the vice presidential nominee in 2004.

Mike Gravel, former U.S. senator from Alaska.

Dennis Kucinich, U.S. representative from Ohio and 2004 presidential candidate.

Barack Obama, U.S. senator from Illinois.

Bill Richardson, New Mexico governor.

Declared candidates who dropped out:

Evan Bayh, U.S. senator from Indiana.

Tom Vilsack, former Iowa governor.

REPUBLICANS:

Announced candidates: