Below is a list of potential contenders for the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination. To find more about each candidate, please click on the links below. The LFDA will continually update this page as new names surface and others drop out, providing you with up-to-date candidate biographies, news, issue positions and campaign finance information.
Republican Primary:
Declared Candidates:
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Fred Karger
Experience: Political Consultant & Gay Rights Activist
Family: Single
Education: BA, University of Denver
Official site: www.fredkarger.com
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Ron Paul
Experience: Congressman from Texas
Family: Married, 5 children
Education: BS, Gettysburg College; MD, Duke University School of Medicine
Official site: www.ronpaul2012.com
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Buddy Roemer
Experience: Former Governor of Louisiana
Family: Married, 3 children
Education: BS, Harvard College; MBA, Harvard Business School
Official site: www.buddyroemer.com
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Mitt Romney
Experience: Former Governor of Massachusetts
Family: Married, 3 children
Education: BA, Brigham Young University; MBA, Harvard Business School; JD, Harvard Law
Official site: www.mittromney.com
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Candidates Now Dropped Out:
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| Michele Bachmann
Experience: Congresswoman from Minnesota
Family: Married, 5 children, 23 foster children
Education: BA, Winona State University; JD, Oral Roberts University; LLM, College of William and Mary
Official site: www.michelebachmann.com |
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Haley Barbour
Experience: Governor of Mississippi
Family: Married, 2 children
Education: JD, University of Mississippi
Official site: www.haleyspac.com
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Herman Cain
Experience:Businessman, Radio Host
Family:Married, 2 children
Education:BS, Morehouse College; MS, Purdue University
Official site: www.hermancain.com
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Chris Christie (Says he's not running)
Experience: Governor of New Jersey
Family: Married, 4 children
Education: BA, University of Delaware; JD, Seton Hall University
Official site: www.state.nj.us/governor
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Mitch Daniels
Experience: Governor of Indiana
Family: Married, 4 children
Education: BA, Princeton University; JD, Georgetown University Law Center
Official site: http://mymanmitch.com
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 | Newt Gingrich Experience: Former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
Family: Married, 4 children
Education: BA, Emory University; MA and PhD, Tulane University
Official site: www.newt.org |
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Rudy Giuliani
Experience: Former Mayor of New York City
Family: Married, 2 children
Education: BA, Manhattan College; JD, New York University School of Law
Official site: www.giulianipartners.com
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Thaddeus McCotter
Experience: U.S. Representative, 2002 - present
Family: Married, 3 children
Education: BA, University of Detroit, JD, University of Detroit Law School
Official site: www.mccotter2012.com
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Sarah Palin
Experience: Former Governor of Alaska
Family: Married, 5 children
Education: BS, University of Idaho
Official site: www.sarahpac.com
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Tim Pawlenty
Experience: Former Governor of Minnesota
Family: Married, 2 children
Education: BA and JD, University of Minnesota
Official site: www.timpawlenty.com
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Rick Perry
Experience: Governor of Texas
Family: Married, 2 children
Education: Texas A&M University
Official site: RickPerry.org
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Rick Santorum
Experience: Former Senator from Pennsylvania
Family: Married, 7 children
Education: BA, Pennsylvania State University; MBA, University of Pittsburgh; JD, Dickinson School of Law
Official site: www.ricksantorum.com
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Donald Trump
Experience: Businessman, Real Estate Developer
Family: Married, 5 children
Education: BS, University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business
Official site: www.trump.com
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Democratic Primary:
Declared Candidates:
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Barack Obama
Experience: President of the United States
Family: Married, 2 children
Education: BA, Columbia University; JD, Harvard Law School
Official site: www.barackobama.com
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Libertarian Party:
Declared Candidates: