2016 Republican Presidential Primary

A total of 17 major candidates entered the race. Former Massachusetts Governor and 2008 Vice Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney won the nomination, beating out Ohio Governor John Kasich and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Mitt Romney was the front runner in almost all of the early polls, but John Kasich and Jeb Bush all surged in the polls after a few stellar debate performances and both led the popular vote at some point during the contest. Ultimately, Mitt Romney managed to hold off all the other candidates and win the nomination. John Kasich finished second and Jeb Bush placed third. On August 11, 2016, Mitt Romney and his running mate, Jeb Bush, were officially nominated as the Republican presidential and vice presidential candidates at the Republican National Convention.