Republicans and Democrats alike are gearing up for the 2012 elections, with debates and campaigns in full swing. With a Democrat in the White House, the GOP is hoping to capitalize on Tea Party support for a big win. The race is far from clear-cut at this point, as several big names contend for the candidacy. Here are the people who are vying for the highest office in the land in 2012.
Rick Santorum suggested on CNN that Parkland students should learn CPR instead of marching the day after the March for Our Lives nationwide events in protest of gun violence. The republican senator’s comments prompted backlash from gun violence victims.
In a tweet on Monday, President Trump endorsed Mitt Romney to fill the U.S. Senate seat left open by Utah's Orrin Hatch. The civil tone was different from the 2016 presidential campaign, when the men launched insults like “con man” (Romney) and “loser” (Trump).
A former Department of Energy photographer has filed a federal lawsuit alleging he lost his job after leaking photos of a private meeting between Energy Secretary Rick Perry and a Trump donor who heads a large U.S. mining company. A DOE spokesperson calls the accusations "ridiculous."
Former Tea Party presidential candidate Michele Bachmann is considering running for former Sen. Al Franken's Minnesota seat. “There's also a price you pay. And the price is bigger than ever because the swamp is so toxic," she said. "We're trying to be wise."
Jon Huntsman, former governor of Utah and U.S. Ambassador to China became a candidate for the Republican Party nomination for President in 2012.
A former fast-food chain executive, Herman Cain emerged as a Republican candidate for the 2012 presidential nomination.
With his "Contract with America," former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich established his position as the head of the anti-Clinton Republican wave in 1994.