The G.O.P. Candidates

On this page you will find a list of  those who are running, were running, considered running, and who many had hoped would run.

Beneath their images is the chronology of their campaign.

For information on each candidate or once potential candidate, scroll down and click on their image to be taken to the page dedicated to them.

Below the list of candidates, you will find a timeline that takes you through the history of the entire primary contest

–Officially Declared  Candidacies –

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann

Click here for Bachman’s WH12 Presidential Contender page

• June 14, 2011 – During a Republican Presidential Debate, Bachmann announced that she filed papers to run for President with the Federal Election Commission for a run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• June 18, 2011 – Bachmann places third in the Southern Republican Leadership Conference straw poll.
• June 27, 2011 – Michele Bachmann officially announces her candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• August 13, 2011 – Michele Bachmann wins the Ames straw poll in Iowa.
• January 4, 2012 – After placing sixth in Iowa, Bachmann suspended her presidential campaign

Herman Cain

Click here for Herman Cain’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

• January 12, 2011 – Herman Cain announced the formation of a formal exploratory committee in preparation for a possible run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• May 21, 2011– Cain officially announced his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• June 18, 2011 – Cain places fourth in Southern Republican Leadership Conference straw poll.
• September 26, 2011 – Herman Cain pulls off a surprise upset victory and wins the Florida 5 straw poll.
• October 30, 2011 – 13 year old allegations of sexual harassment against Herman Cain surface in a report by Politico.com
• November 5, 2011 — Herman Cain wins Sioux Falls Straw Poll.
• December 3, 2011 — Cain announces the suspension of his campaign for the Republican Party presidential nomination

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich

Click here for Gingrich’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

• March 3, 2011 – Gingrich announces the formation of an informal exploratory committee in preparation for a potential run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• May 11, 2011 – Newt Gingrich officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party
• June 18, 2011 – Gingrich places sixth in the Southern Republican Leadership Conference straw poll, 5 votes behind Mitt Romney and 28 votes ahead of Sarah Palin
• December 7, 2011— Newt Gingrich wins Delaware state committee straw poll
• December 19, 2011— Newt Gingrich narrowly wins Tea Party Patriots straw poll over Michele Bachmann
• January 3, 2012 – Newt finishes fourth in Iowa with 16,163 votes (13%)
• January 10, 2012 – Gingrich comes in fourth place in the New Hampshire Primary with 23,411 votes, a total of 9%.
• January 19, 2012 – Rick Perry, who came in sixth in New Hampshire, withdraws from the race and endorses Newt Gingrich
• January 21, 2012 – Newt wins the South Carolina Republican primary is won by Newt Gingrich with 40% of the vote and wins all of the states 23 delegates
• March 6, 2012 – Super Tuesday.  Of the 10 states holding nominating contests, Newt wins his home state of Georgia.  But Romney wins six states and Rick Santorum wins the other three
• May 2, 2012 – Newt Gingrich suspends his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination and endorsed Mitt Romney

Ambassador Jon Huntsman

Click here for Huntsman’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

• January 31, 2011 – Huntsman submits to President Obama his intent to resign as Abassador to China
• May 3, 2011 – Jon Huntsman, the now former U.S. Ambassador to China, files papers to create a federal political action committee
• June 18,2011 – Huntsman pulls off a surprise second place showing in the Southern Republican Leadership Conference straw poll
• June 21,2011 – Jon Huntsman officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• January 3, 2012 – Chosing to focus on New Hampshire, Huntsman will forego Iowa and comes in seventh place in the Iowa Caucuses, just slightly ahead of Herman Cain who had dropped out of the race before the contest
• January 10, 2012 – Huntsman finishes third in the New Hampshire Republican primary, with 17% of the vote, behind Ron Paul and ahead of Newt Gingrich
• January 16, 2012 – After betting everything on a strategy aimed at upsetting Mitt Romney in New Hampshire, Huntsman withdraws from the race and endorses Mitt Romney

Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson

Click here for Johnson’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

• April 21, 2011 – Gary Johnson, former Governor of New Mexico, officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party
• May 5, 2011 – The first Republican debate takes place in South Carolina with Cain, Johnson, Pawlenty, Paul, and Santorum participating
• June 18,2011 –Johnson places tenth with 10 votes in the Southern Republican Leadership Conference straw poll.  he come sin ahead of only Buddy Roemer and Thad McCotter
• September 22, 2011 – Johnson meets the minimum polling thresholds required to enter into one of the first major televised Republican preisdntial debates.  It is sponsored by Fox News, Google and Florida Republican Party and held in Orlando, Florida.  Participants include Bachmann, Cain, Gingrich, Huntsman, Johnson, Perry, Paul, Romney, and Santorum
• December 28, 2011 – Before any voting takes place in Iowa or New Hampshire, Johnson ends his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, and enters the race of the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination

Fred Karger

Click here to view Karger’s WH12 Presidential Contender’s Page

• March 23, 2011 – Fred Karger officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party
• April 11 – Karger wins the St. Anselm College Republican Straw Poll in Manchester, New Hampshire is won by Fred Karger with 25% of the vote followed closely by Romney with 23%

Congressman Ron Paul, (TX-14)

Click here to see Paul’s WH12 Presidential Contenders Page

• February 12, 2011 –Conservative Political Action Conference; Ron Paul wins straw poll
• April 26, 2011 – Ron Paul announced the formation of a formal exploratory committee in preparation for a run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party
• May 5, 2011 – The first Republican debate takes place in South Carolina with Cain, Johnson, Pawlenty, Paul, and Santorum participating
• May 13, 2011 – Ron Paul officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party
• June 18, 2011 – Ron Paul wins the Southern Republican Leadership Conference straw poll
• May 14, 2012 – After consistently weak electoral showings Ron Paul announces that he will not suspend his presidential campaign but will stop actively campaigning for President

 Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty

Click here to view Pawlenty’s WH12 Presidential Contender’s Page

• March 21, 2011 – Tim Pawlenty announces the formation of an exploratory committee in preparation for a potential run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party
• May 5, 2011 – The first Republican debate takes place in South Carolina with Cain, Johnson, Pawlenty, Paul, and Santorum participating
• May 23, 2011 – Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party
• June 18, 2011 – Palwenty places ninth in the Southern Republican Leadership Conference straw poll
• August 13, 2011 – Tim Pawlenty places a weak third in the Ames Iowa Straw Poll
• August 14, 2011 – The morning after Pawlenty’s defeat in the Iowa Straw Poll, Pawlenty announces his withdrawal from the race for the Republican presidential nomination
• September 12, 2011 – Pawlenty endorses Mitt Romney for President

Texas Governor Rick Perry

Click here to visit Perry’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

•  August 13, 2011 – Rick Perry officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party
• September 24, 2011 –  Perry places second in the Florida 5 Straw Poll.
• November 9, 2011— In a presidential debate at Oakland University in Rochester, MI sponsored by CNBC and the Michigan Republican Party, Rick Perry stumbles when he forgets the names of the three agencies he would eliminate if elected President.  In the days to follow, Perry tries to overcome the faux pas but never quite recovers
• January 3, 2012 – Perry places a distant fifth in the Iowa Caucueses
• January 10, 2012 – Perry places a distant sixth place in the New Hampshire Primary
• January 19, 2012 – Rick Perry withdraws from the race and endorses Newt Gingrich

 

Louisiana Governor Roy “Buddy” Roemer

Click here to visit Roemer’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

• March 3, 2011 – Buddy Roemer announces the formation of an exploratory committee in preparation for a potential run the presidential nomination of the Republican Party
• June 18, 2011– Roemer places 11th in the Southern Republican Leadership Conference straw poll
• July 21, 2011 – Buddy Roemer officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party
• February 22, 2012 –  After getting nowhere with voters in any state, Roemer ends his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination and seeks the nomination of the newly formed, Americans Elect organization
• May 18, 2012 – Buddy Roemer is left without a nomination to run for as Americans Elect decides to discontinue their online nominating process because none of their candidates came close to receiving the 10,000 online signatures needed to qualify for the nomination.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney

Click here for Romney’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

• January 22, 2011 – Romney wins the New Hampshire Straw Poll with 35% of the vote
• April 11, 2011 – Romney announces the formation of a formal exploratory committee in preparation of a potential run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party
• June 2, 2011 – Mitt Romney officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party
• June 18, 2011 – Romney comes in fifth in the Southern Republican Leadership Conference straw poll
• September 12, 2011 – Pawlenty endorses Mitt Romney
• January 3, 2012 – Romney is initially declared the winner of the Iowa Republican caucuses but two weeks later a new count of the votes reveals Rick Santorum won by a handful of votes
• January 10, 2012 – Romney handily wins the New Hampshire Republican primary
• January 16, 2012 – Jon Huntsman, who came in third in New Hampshire, withdraws from the race and endorses Mitt Romney
• January 31, 2012 – Romney wins the  Florida Republican primary
• February 4, 2012  – Romney wins the Nevada Republican caucuses
• February 11, 2012 – Voting concludes in the Maine Republican caucuses, Mitt Romney is declared the winner
• February 28, 2012 – Romney wins the Arizona and Michigan Republican Primaries
• February 29, 2012 – Romney wins the Wyoming Caucuses
• March 3, 2012 – Romney wins the Washington State Republican Caucuses
• March 6, 2012 – Super Tuesday – Of 10 states holding nominating contests, Romney wins 6, Alaska, Massachusetts, Idaho, Ohio, Virginia, and Vermont
• March 10, 2012 – Virgin Islands Republican caucuses are won by Ron Paul, but most of the delegates were awarded to Mitt Romney
• March 18, 2012 – Romney wins the Puerto Rico Republican caucuses
• March 20, 2012 – Mitt Romney wins the Illinois primaries
• April 3, 2012  – Romney wins the Maryland, Wisconsin, Washington DC primaries
• April 24, 2012 – Romney wins the Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island primaries
• April 25, 2012 – Republican National Committee declares Mitt Romney the presumptive nominee of the party
• May 2, 2012 – Newt Gingrich suspended his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination and endorsed Mitt Romney

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum

Click here to view Santorum’s WH12 Presidential Contenders Page

• April 13, 2011 – Santorum announces the formation of a formal exploratory committee in preparation of a potential run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party
• May 5, 2011 – The first Republican debate takes place in South Carolina with Cain, Johnson, Pawlenty, Paul, and Santorum participating
• June 6, 2011 – Rick Santorum officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party
• June 18, 2011 – Santorum finishes eighth in  the Southern Republican Leadership Conference straw poll
• January 3, 2012 – Romney is initially declared the winner of the Iowa Republican caucuses and Santorum pulls off a very close surprise second
• January 16,2012 – Recount in Iowa shows that Rick Santorum won the Republican caucuses
• February 7, 2012 – Santorum wins the Minnesota and Colorado Republican caucuses and the non-binding Missouri Republican Primary
• March 6, 2012 – Super Tuesday – Of 10 states holding nominating contests, Santorum wins three states, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Colorado. Gingrich wins Georgia, and Romney wins six other states
• March 10. 2012 – Santorum wins the Kansas Republican caucuses
• March 24, 2012 – Santorum wins Louisiana primaries
• April 10, 2012 –  Rick Santorum suspends his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination

– Contenders Who Considered Running –

Former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour

Click here to view Barbour’s WH12 Contender Page

• August 8, 2010 – Through Haley’s PAC, Barbour sends out a mailer in Iowa that essentially introduced himself to  to the voters of the first in the nation caucus.  It discusses the importance of his efforts to elect Republican Governors as Chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association
• August 11, 2010 – Former Alabama Governor Bob Riley decides not to run for President and suggests that if Haley Barbour runs, he would support him
• January 26, 2011 – Haley Barbour talks about 2012 White House Hopes In South Carolina
• February 1, 2011 –  Barbour is calling many wealthy Republican donors and big fundraisers and telling them not to get behind any presidential candidate until he has made a decision on whether or not to run for President
• February 5, 2011 –  Sources report that Barbour is doing all the the things you have to do to gear up for a presidential bid and is likely running
• February 12, 2011 – After delivering his speech at CPAC Haley Barbour’s confirms that he is seriously considering a run for President at CPAC
• March 3, 2011 – Haley Barbour urges Republicans not to be quick to endorse anyone for President yet as he works the phones to get them to consider supporting his own potential candidacy
• March 8, 2011 – After months of exploring the chances of a possible run for President, Barbour hires a communication director for his PAC, Haley’s PAC.
• April 25, 2011 – Barbour announces that he will not run for President in 2012

 

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie

Click here to view Chrsitie’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

• January 3, 2011 – Poll shows that Republicans want New Jersey Governor Christie to be their presidential nominee
• January 24, 2011 – Christie and Romney meet for a dinner hosted by Governor Christie at Drumthwacket in Princeton, NJ
• March 26, 2011 – Christie, tops New Jersey presidential straw poll.  Gingrich and Daniels follow behind.
• May 31, 2011 –  Iowa’s GOP donors beg Christie to run for President
• September 26, 2011 – Former New Jersey Governor Tom Kean Says Chris Christie is Considering a Run for President
• September 28, 2011 – In a much anticipated speech at the Reagan library, Christie responds to requests for him to run for President and claims it is not his time
• October 4, 2011— Chris Christie responding to mounting speculation that he would make a late entry in the Republican presidential nomination race, announces once and for all that he will not run for President in 2012
• October 11, 2011 – Christie endorses Mitt Romney for President
• October 12, 2011 –  Speculation about Chris Christie becoming vice presidential running mate begins

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels 

Click here to view Daniels’ WH12 Presidential Contender Page

• December 23, 2010 –  Mitch Daniels states that if her were to run for President, a late start in  the presidential race could hurt his chances of winning the nomination
• January 13, 2011 – Governor Daniels accepts invite to address the Annual Gridiron Club Dinner
• January 31, 2011 – Mitch Daniels wins Washington State Straw Poll among Republican State Committee
• February 11, 2011 –  Daniels addresses CPAC’s Reagan Dinner
• February 17, 2011 – Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush speaks highly of the prospect of Mitch Daniels being President
• March 6, 2011 – Daniels wins Oregon GOP straw poll
•  March 21. 2011 – Mitch Daniels signs deal to write a book;  “Keeping the Republic: Limited Government, Unlimited Citizens”
• April 13, 2011 – Mitch Daniels sends mixed signals regarding a possible presidential run
• May 13, 2011 – Daniels’ wife Cheri delivers a rare public keynote speech before  an Indiana State GOP fundraiser.  it is seen as a possible indication of Cheri Daniels being open to a possible run for thew White House by her husband.  Up to now, Cheri Daniels is seen as being reluctant about the invasion of privacy that a presidential campaign would bring to the lives of those in the Daniels family.
• May 22, 2011 – Daniels announces he will not run for President

Rudy Giuliani

Click here to view Rudy’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

• January 8, 2011 – Rudy is said to be giving a run for President serious consideration 
• January 22, 2011 –  Rudy takes a swipe at Sarah Palin on Piers Morgan Tonight and suggests that if she runs for the Republican presidential nomination, he will also run.
• April 4, 2011 – Rudy tells University of Arkansas students that he has plenty of time to decide whether to run for President or not
• August 11, 2001 –  With the entry of Rick Perry in to the presidential about to happen Rudy expresses a sense of urgency regarding his making a decision to run or not to run for President
• October 11, 2011 – Rudy announces that he will not run for President.  Says it is too late for him to enter the race.  (You think?!)

 

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee

Click here to view Huckabee’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

• September 22, 2010 – As talk about who might run for the G.O.P. presidential nomination heats up, former 2008 candidate Mike Huckabee gets hit hard after a convicted criminal from Arkansas that he gave to clemency to against the wishes of prosecutors, shot and killed 4 law enforcement officers in Washington state.
• January 10, 2011 – Huckabee and Romney in a dead heat in early Iowa polling
• January 18, 2011 –  Huckabee leads petition effort to repeal Obamacare
• January 20, 2011 – Huckabee claims that his decision to run for President or not is not being influenced by a lead that he has in polls
• January 25, 2011 – Huckabee declares that if he runs for President, he will sit out the first debates
• January 27, 2011 – Huckabee kicks off “A Simple Government” book tour in early primary and caucus states
• February 7, 2011 – Rasmussen poll shows Huckabee and Romney to be strongest candidates against President Obama
• March 10, 2011 – Key Iowa supporters of Huckabee jump ship to support Tim Palwenty
• April 19, 2011 – Huckabee writes an editorial promoting the so called Fair Tax
• April 22, 2001 – Ed Rollins, Huckabee’s 2008 presidential campaign manger, state’s that Huckabee “is considering a presidential race seriously“
• May 14, 2011 –  On his Sunday evening Fox news talk show, Mike Huckabee announces that his heart tells him not to run for President in 2012

 Judge Roy Moore

Click here to view Moore’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

April 18 – Roy Moore, former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, announces the formation of a formal exploratory committee in preparation for a potential run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party but fails to get it off the ground

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin

Click here to view Palin’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

• September 3, 2011 – Sarah Palin delivers a much anticipated speech at a large Iowa TEA Party rally and interjects the phrase “crony capitalism” in to the politics and it remains a permanent part of the 2012 election.  In that same speech, Palin also proposes to eliminate the corporate tax. Palin and her speech go over so well that speculation about her becoming a presidential candidate reaches a fevered pitch
• October 5, — Sarah Palin announces that she will not run for President in 2012
• November 29, 2011 – Draft Palin ad runs in Iowa

Former New York Governor George Pataki

Click here to view Pataki’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

• August 25, 2011 – Pataki heads to to Iowa where he addresses those attending the Polk County Republican picnic
• August 26, 2011 – Patake decides not to run for Presisdent

Mike Pence 

Click here to view Pence’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

• September 19, 2010 – Mike Pence addresses The Family Reasearch Councils annual Values Voters Summit and delivers a powerful.  Afterwards, Pence wins the Values Voters Summit straw poll
• January 20, 2011 – Pence addresses the Indiana state legislature and in his remarks he offered some hints about a run for Governor of Indiana. But he also gave those who would like to see him run for President, some hope.
• January 23, 2011 – A group of conservatives create a grassroots draft Pence for President effort and organization called America’s President Committee
• January 27, 2001 – Pence emails a letter to supporters in which he announces that he will not run for President in 2012.  He later announces his candidacy for Governor of Indiana to replace outgoing term limited Governor Mitch Daniels

Alabama Governor Bob Riley

Click here to view Riley’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

• August 13, 2009 – A Washington Times articles suggests the candidacy of Bob Riley for President in 2012
• August 11, 2010 – Riley decides not to run for President and suggests that if Haley Barbour runs, he would support him

Congressman Paul Ryan

Click here to view Ryan’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

• January 26, 2011 – Ryan delivers the Republican response to the President’s State of the Union Address.  As the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, Ryan delivers a friendly, but sharp response that undermines the liberal economic agenda with hard hitting facts about the de=ficit and the Republican approach to confronting our fiscal problems.
• February 10, 2011 –  Ryan delivers a powerful speech at CPAC and he is seen largely as preparing to take on the Federal Reserve and limited their unlimited power.
• August 18, 2011 – By all indication, Paul Ryan is still seriously reconsidering g a run for President and at the same time heavy hitters such as Mitch Daniels, Jeb Bush, Speaker John Boehner, Former Education Secretary Bill Bennet, and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker encourage Ryan to join to add his voice to the presidential race as a candidate for President.
• August 22, 2011 –  Ryan announces that he will not run for President in 2012
• August 11, 2012 – In an announcement along side of the USS Wisconsin in Norfolk, Virginia, Mitt Romney introduces Paul Ryan as his vice presidential running mate.

South Dakota Senator John Thune

Click here to visit Thune’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

• October 23, 2012 – In the closing weeks of the 2010 Midterm elections, Republicans have turned to South Dakota Senator and potential 2012 Republican candidate for President, John Thune to delivery the response to the President’s weekly national address.
• January 21, 2001 – Thune tells the Sioux Falls Argus Leader that he knows he must make a decision about running for President or not, soon.  He adds “At some point, you have to make a gut-level decision about whether or not you think you have something to contribute and add to the debate, and (if) the country needs something in the form of leadership that you can provide,”
• January 25, 2011 – It is confirmed that Senator Thune is polling several early states regarding a possible run for President.  Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also jumped at the chance to support Thune’s potential candidacy for President
• February 11, 2011 – Thune delivers a strong speech at CPAC in which he described President Obama as a man who doesn’t understand that “success in America is not what our government can do for us, but what Americans can achieve”. The speech fuels interest in Thune’s potential as a Republican presidential candidate.”
• February 22, 2011 – Thune releases a statement to officially announce that he will not run for President in 2012

Donald Trump

Click here to view Trump’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

• January 5, 2011 – Trumps tells CNNs John King that many people have been urging him to run for President and that he is considering it
• February 20, 2011- Michigan business owner endorses Donald Trump for President 2012 and tries to start a grassroots movement to urge Trump to run
• March 1, 2011 –  Trump defends political contributions to Democrats like Rahm Emanuel and begins to air his views on foreign policy and economics
• March 4, 2011 – Trump tests the presidential waters in Iowa and sends his henchman, Michael Cohen to Iowa to meet with state Party officials
• March 23, 2011 – Trump scheduled to speak at  Iowa Republican dinner
• April 5, 2011 – PPP poll finds that 21% of New Hampshire Republicans support Donald Trump. Same polls finds 27% supporting Romney
• April 6, 2011 – Wall Street Journal/ NBC poll has Trumped tied with Huckabee for second place among Republicans
• April 14, 2011 – Trump announces that he will make his decision regarding a run for President on The Apprentice
• April 17, 2011 – Donald Trump electrified T.E.A. Party enthusiasts at a rally sponsored by the South Florida Tea Party in Boca Raton
• April 27, 2011 – After several weeks of Donald Trump attacking President Obama on the legitimacy of his birth certificate, the President released his birth certificate and called those who doubted it a bunch of “circus barkers”
• April 28, 2011 – Donald Trump curses in a speech about trade with China before a crowd of more than a thousand supporters in Las Vegas
• May 16, 2011 – In an early afternoon statement released by the Trump organization. Trump makes it official that he will not run President.  The Donald stated that his real passion and talent is for business and he is not yet willing to give it up for politics.  From that point on, those remaining candidates for the Republican presidential nomination, courted Trump one by as they made way to meet with him in New York City offices

– Leaders Who Were Urged To Run –

But did not consider it

Governor John Kasich

Click here to view Kasich’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul

Click here to view Rand Paul’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

General David Petraeus 

Click here to view Petraeus’ WH12 Presidential Contender Page

Former Sec. of State Condoleezza Rice

Click here to view Rice’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

Florida Senator Marco Rubio

Click here to view Rubio’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

 Col. Allen West

Click here for West’s WH12 Presidential Contender Page

January 2010

• January 21 – In a 5–4 decision, the Supreme Court rules in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts in candidate elections cannot be be limited.  This greatly changed the landscape of the election and introduced the Super PAC which allowed supporters of candidates to spend money that the candidate’s themsleves may not have been able to.

• November 2 – Midterm Elections. The Republican Party made historic gains (63 seats) in the United States House of Representatives and gained 6 seats in the United States Senate. They also gained six gubernatorial seats, as well as historic gains in state legislatures.

 December 2010

• The 2010 Census changes the Electoral College vote apportionment for the election for 18 states.
• December 23 – Jimmy McMillan, perennial candidate from New York changes party affiliation from Democratic to Republican and officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.

—– 2011 —–

January 2011

• January 6 – Stewart Alexander, activist and 2008 Socialist Party USA vice-presidential nominee, officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Peace and Freedom Party.
• January 12 – Herman Cain, radio host, businessman and former Senate candidate from Georgia, announces the formation of a formal exploratory committee in preparation for a possible run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• January 18 – Randall Terry, a pro-life activist from New York and former Republican, officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party.
• January 22 – The New Hampshire Straw Poll is won by Mitt Romney with 35% of the vote.

February 2011

• February 8 – Andy Martin, perennial candidate and activist from Illinois, formally filed papers with the Federal Election Commission to run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• February 12–Conservative Political Action Conference; Ron Paul wins straw poll.
• February 28 – The Tea Party Patriots straw poll is won by Ron Paul, U.S. Representative of Texas.

March 2011

• March 3 – Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, announces the formation of an informal exploratory committee in preparation for a potential run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.

Buddy Roemer, former Governor of Louisiana, announces the formation of an exploratory committee in preparation for a potential run the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.

• March 16 – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expands on her previous statement to also specify that she will not serve as vice-president or a second term as Secretary of State.
• March 21 – Tim Pawlenty, former Governor of Minnesota, announces the formation of an exploratory committee in preparation for a potential run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.^[20][21] Fred Karger announces he will run for president.
• March 23 – Fred Karger officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.

April 2011

• April 4 – President Barack Obama files papers with the Federal Election Commission and announces his candidacy for a second presidential nomination of the Democratic Party, and re-election to a second term as President.
• April 11 – Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts, announces the formation of a formal exploratory committee in preparation of a potential run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.  The St. Anselm College Republican Straw Poll in Manchester, New Hampshire is won by Fred Karger with 25% of the vote followed closely by Romney with 23%.
• April 13 – Rick Santorum, former Senator from Pennsylvania, announces the formation of a formal exploratory committee in preparation of a potential run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• April 18 – Roy Moore, Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, announces the formation of a formal exploratory committee in preparation for a potential run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• April 21 – Gary Johnson, former Governor of New Mexico, officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• April 26 – Ron Paul announced the formation of a formal exploratory committee in preparation for a run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.

May 2011

• May 3 – Jon Huntsman, former U.S. Ambassador to China, filed papers to create a federal political action committee.

• May 5 – The first Republican debate takes place in South Carolina with Cain, Johnson, Pawlenty, Paul, and Santorum participating.
• May 11 – Newt Gingrich officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• May 13 – Ron Paul officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• May 14 – Former Arkansas Governor and 2008 candidate Mike Huckabee announces he will not run for president in 2012.
• May 16 – Businessman Donald Trump announces he will not run for president in 2012.
• May 21 – Herman Cain officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• May 22 – Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels announces he will not run for president in 2012.
• May 23 – Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.

June 2011

• June 2 – Mitt Romney officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• June 6 – Rick Santorum officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• June 13 – CNN and the Manchester Union Leader hosts a Republican debate in Manchester, New Hampshire.

• June 14 – Michele Bachmann, U.S. Representative of Minnesota, announces during the debate that she has filed papers with the Federal Election Commission for a run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• June 18 – Results of the Southern Republican Leadership Conference straw poll: Ron Paul 612; Jon Huntsman 382; Michele Bachmann 191; Herman Cain 104; Mitt Romney 74; Newt Gingrich 69; Sarah Palin 41; Rick Santorum 30; Tim Pawlenty 18; Gary Johnson 10; Buddy Roemer 9; Thad McCotter 2
• June 21 – Jon Huntsman officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.

• June 22 – Retired engineer and perennial candidate Jack Fellure wins the presidential nomination of the Prohibition Party at the Party’s national convention in Cullman, Alabama.
• June 27 – Michele Bachmann officially announces her candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.

July 2011

• July 1 – Thaddeus McCotter, U.S. Representative of Michigan, announces he has filed papers with the Federal Election Commission to campaign for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• July 2 – Thaddeus McCotter officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• July 21 – Buddy Roemer officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.

August 2011

• August 12 – Republican candidates debate is held in Iowa. Bachmann, Cain, Gingrich, Huntsman, Paul, Pawlenty, Romney, and Santorum are the participants.
• August 13 – Michele Bachmann wins the Ames straw poll in Iowa.
• August 13 – Texas Governor Rick Perry officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
• August 14 – Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty announces his withdrawal from the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

September 2011

• September 6 – John Bolton, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, announces that he will not run for president in 2012.
• September 7 – Republican candidates debate is held in Simi Valley, California. Bachmann, Cain, Gingrich, Huntsman, Perry, Paul, Romney, and Santorum are the participants.
• September 8— President Obama addresses a joint meeting of Congress to propose jobs bill.
• September 12 – Republican candidates debate is held in Tampa, Florida. Bachmann, Cain, Gingrich, Huntsman, Perry, Paul, Romney, and Santorum are the participants.
• September 14 -Arizona Governor Jan Brewer issues an official proclamation that the Arizona primary shall be held on February 28.
• September 19 –Ralph Nader and others announce a coalition to find a Primary challenger for Obama.
• September 22 – U.S. Representative Thaddeus McCotter announces his withdrawal from the race for the Republican presidential nomination.
• September 22 – Republican candidates debate is held in Orlando, Florida. Sponsors: Fox News, Google and Florida Republican Party. Participants: Bachmann, Cain, Gingrich, Huntsman, Johnson, Perry, Paul, Romney, and Santorum.
• September 26 – Herman Cain wins Florida 5 straw poll.

October 2011

• October 4—Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey, responding to mounting speculation that he would make a late entry in the Republican presidential nomination race, announces he will not run for President in 2012.
• October 5—Sarah Palin, former Governor of Alaska and 2008 Republican Party nominee for Vice President, announces that she will not run for President in 2012.
• October 11— Rudy Giuliani, Former Mayor of New York City, announces that he will not run for President in 2012.
• October 11— Republican candidates debate on Bloomberg Television at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. Sponsored by Bloomberg, The Washington Post and WBIN-TV.
• October 12— Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Gary Johnson, and Rick Santorum, all address the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
• October 14–16 – Socialist Party USA convention in Los Angeles, CA selects Stewart Alexander as their presidential candidate and Alejandro Mendoza as their vice-presidential candidate.
• October 18— Republican candidates debate on CNN in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sponsored by CNN and the Western Republican Leadership Conference.

November 2011

• November 5— Herman Cain wins Sioux Falls Straw Poll.
• November 9— Republican candidates debate on CNBC at Oakland University in Rochester, MI. Sponsored by CNBC and the Michigan Republican Party.
• November 22– Republican candidates debate on CNN in Washington, D.C.

December 2011

• December 3—    Herman Cain announces the suspension of his campaign for the Republican Party presidential nomination.
• December 3 –    Green Party presidential candidates debate in Los Angeles, California.
• December 7—    Newt Gingrich wins Delaware state committee straw poll.
• December 10— Republican candidates debate in Des Moines, Iowa at Drake University. Sponsored by ABC News and Republican Party of Iowa.
• December 15— Republican presidential debate in Sioux City, Iowa, hosted by Fox News.
• December 19— Republican presidential candidates debate in Goffstown, New Hampshire, Sponsored by Saint Anselm College. None of the candidates listed on the ballot in the Iowa Caucus attend.
• December 19— Democratic candidates debate in Goffstown, New Hamphire, Sponsored by Saint Anselm College^.  President Obama does not participate.
• December 19— Newt Gingrich narrowly wins Tea Party Patriots straw poll over Michele Bachmann.
• December 28— Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson ends his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, and enters the race of the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination.

 —- 2012 —-

January 2012

• January 3 – The Iowa Republican caucuses are initially declared as a victory for Mitt Romney, however later counts show Rick Santorum with a small lead, however later counts show Ron Paul with a majority of delegates. The Iowa Democratic caucuses are won by Barack Obama. Neither caucus awards any delegates, but are to be used as a guide for delegate selection in June’s party conventions.
• January 4 – Representative Michele Bachmann, who came in sixth in Iowa, announces the suspension of her Presidential campaign,
• January 7 – Republican debate in Manchester, New Hampshire, sponsored by ABC News and WMUR.
• January 8 – Republican debate at the Chubb Theatre at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord, New Hampshire, sponsored by NBC News, Facebook, and The Union Leader.
• January 10 – The New Hampshire Republican primary is won by Mitt Romney and New Hampshire Democratic primary by Barack Obama.
• January 16 – Jon Huntsman, who came in third in New Hampshire, withdraws from the race and endorses Mitt Romney.
• January 16 – Recount in Iowa shows that Rick Santorum won the Republican caucuses.
• January 16 – Republican debates at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, sponsored by Fox News and the Republican Party of South Carolina.
• January 19 – Rick Perry, who came in sixth in New Hampshire, withdraws from the race and endorses Newt Gingrich.
• January 19 – Republican debate in Charleston, South Carolina, sponsored by CNN and the Southern Republican Leadership Conference.
• January 21 — The Nevada Democratic Caucuses are won by Barack Obama
• January 21 – The South Carolina Republican primary is won by Newt Gingrich.
• January 23 – Republican debate at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, sponsored by The St. Petersburg Times, NBC News, the National Journal and the Florida Council of 100.
• January 26 – Republican debate in Jacksonville, Florida, sponsored by CNN and the Republican Party of Florida.
• January 28 – The South Carolina Democratic primary is won by Barack Obama.
• January 31 – The Florida Republican primary is won by Mitt Romney. The Florida Democratic primary is won by Barack Obama.

February 2012

• February 2 – Roseanne Barr, actress, announces her candidacy for the Green Party presidential nomination.
• February 4 – Nevada Republican caucuses are won by Mitt Romney.
• February 4 – Voting began in the Maine Republican caucuses: Paul gaining 21 delegates, and Romney 3.
• February 7 – The Minnesota Republican caucuses are won by Rick Santorum.
• February 7 – The Missouri Democratic Primary and Minnesota caucuses are won by Barack Obama. The Missouri Republican Primary is won by Rick Santorum, although the contest does not affect how Missouri’s GOP delegates are awarded.
• February 7 – The Colorado Republican caucuses are won by Rick Santorum.
• February 11 – Voting concludes in the Maine Republican caucuses, Mitt Romney is declared the winner.
• February 22 – Republican candidates debate on CNN in Phoenix, AZ.
• February 28 – Arizona Republican Primary won by Mitt Romney.
• February 28 – Michigan Republican Primary won by Mitt Romney.
• February 29 – Wyoming caucuses won by Mitt Romney.

March 2012

• March 3 – Washington state Republican caucuses – won by Mitt Romney.
• March 6 – (Super Tuesday) – Romney wins six states; Santorum, three states; Gingrich wins Georgia.
• March 6 – Alaska Republican district conventions – won by Mitt Romney.
• March 6 – Colorado Republican caucuses – won by Santorum.
• March 6 – Georgia primary – won by Newt Gingrich.
• March 6 – Idaho Republican caucuses – won by Mitt Romney.
• March 6 – North Dakota Republican caucuses – won by Rick Santorum.
• March 6 – Massachusetts primary – won by Mitt Romney.
• March 6 – Minnesota Republican caucuses – won by Rick Santorum.
• March 6 – Ohio primary – won by Mitt Romney.
• March 6 – Oklahoma primary – won by Rick Santorum.
• March 6 – Tennessee primary – won by Rick Santorum.
• March 6 – Vermont primary – won by Mitt Romney.
• March 6 – Virginia primary – won by Mitt Romney.
• March 10 – Kansas Republican caucuses are won by Rick Santorum.
• March 10 – Virgin Islands Republican caucuses are won by Ron Paul, but most of the delegates were awarded to Mitt Romney.
• March 11 – Maine Democratic caucuses
• March 13 – Alabama Republican primary; Hawaii, and American Samoa Republican caucuses; Mississippi Democratic and Republican Primaries; Utah Democratic caucuses
• March 17 – Missouri Republican caucuses (52 delegates)
• March 18 – Puerto Rico Republican caucuses – won by Romney
• March 20 – Mitt Romney wins the Illinois primaries
• March 24 – Louisiana primaries – won by Rick Santorum
• March 31 – Arizona Democratic caucuses

April 2012

• April 3 – Maryland, Wisconsin, Washington DC primaries – won by Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, the latter of whom won enough delegates to win the Democratic nomination.
• April 10 – Former US Senator Rick Santorum suspends his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.
• April 14 – Idaho Democratic caucuses, Kansas Democratic caucuses, Nebraska Democratic caucuses, Wyoming Democratic caucuses
• April 15 – Alaska Democratic caucuses, Washington Democratic caucuses
• April 18–21 – 2012 Constitution Party National Convention held in Nashville, Tennessee
• April 21 – Former US Congressman Virgil Goode wins the presidential nomination of the Constitution Party
• April 24 – Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island primaries – won by Mitt Romney
• April 25 – Republican National Committee declares Mitt Romney the presumptive nominee of the party.

May 2012

• May 2 – Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich suspended his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination and endorsed Mitt Romney.
• May 4–6 – The 2012 Libertarian National Convention held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ron Paul wins the majority of delegates in Nevada despite losing the popular vote.
• Ron Paul also wins majority of delegates in Maine despite losing popular vote.
• May 5 – Former Governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson wins the presidential nomination of the Libertarian Party
• May 5 – Michigan Democratic caucuses, Florida Democratic caucuses
• May 8 – Indiana, North Carolina, West Virginia primaries
• May 15 – Nebraska, and Oregon primaries
• May 22 – Arkansas, and Kentucky primaries
• May 29 – Texas primaries

June 2012

• June 3 – Puerto Rico Democratic caucuses
• June 5 – California, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Dakota primaries; North Dakota Democratic caucuses
• June 26 – Utah primaries