2012 Republican Presidential Primaries

A total of 10 major candidates entered the race. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee won the nomination, beating out former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum. Mike Huckabee was the front runner in almost all of the early polls, but Rick Santorum surged in the polls after a few stellar debate performances and won as many events as Governor Huckabee. Ultimately, Mike Huckabee managed to hold off all the other candidates and win the nomination. Rick Santorum finished second and Ron Paul placed third. On August 11, 2012, Mike Huckabee and his running mate, former Speaker of the House Newt Gringich, were officially nominated as the Republican presidential and vice presidential candidates at the Republican National Convention.