Mitt Romney
A candidate for President of the United States in the 2012 Washington General Election
Party: Republican
Age: 77
City: Boston, MA
Occupation: Venture capitalist; former Massachussetts governor
After a protracted primary battle, Romney won enough delegates to secure the nomination with a May 29 primary victory in Texas. Romney is the son of George Romney, an auto executive who became Michigan’s governor and made an unsuccessful White House run in 1968. The younger Romney says he is committed to seeing someone in the 2012 race “who understands the economy.” Romney has worked in the private sector for much of his career.
He served a single term as governor of Massachusetts, during which he worked with a Democratic legislature. He passed a statewide health insurance overhaul that President Barack Obama has called a model for his own national health care plan.
He has proven to be a fundraising powerhouse who survived a strong initial challenge from Rick Perry, then a surging Newt Gingrich, then a persistent Rick Santorum, only to watch his rivals flame out while he steadily won state contests.
Romney has already made one run for the White House, losing the 2008 GOP nomination to Sen. John McCain.
He has changed his views on issues vital to many conservatives, including abortion rights, gay rights and embryonic stem-cell research. Conservatives following the presidential race have still not settled on Romney, expressing preferences for candidates they see as being farther to the right.
He has been married for more than 40 years and has has five sons and 16 grandchildren.
Contact information
Race Results
Washington vote totals in the national election
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Barack Obama (D) | 1,620,432 | 55.85% |
| Mitt Romney (R) | 1,210,369 | 41.72% |
| Gary Johnson (L) | 37,732 | 1.30% |
| Jill Stein (G) | 18,316 | 0.63% |
| Virgil Goode (C) | 8,071 | 0.28% |
| Rocky Anderson (J) | 4,332 | 0.15% |
| Peta Lindsay (S) | 1,148 | 0.04% |
| James Harris (S) | 1,099 | 0.04% |
Related Coverage
What would Romney cut? Overheard conversation yields clues
When President Barack Obama told a Russian leader that he could be “more flexible” after the election _ during what he thought was a private conversation — Mitt Romney came down like a hammer. He accused his Democratic rival of “pulling his punches with the American people” and hiding his real agenda. Romney found himself in similar circumstances Monday after he was heard telling donors at a Florida fundraiser that while he planned to slash government programs, he probably would not share those plans with voters before November.
Santorum suspends campaign for president
GETTYSBURG, Pa. — Bowing to the inevitable, Rick Santorum quit the presidential campaign Tuesday, clearing the way for Mitt Romney to claim the Republican nomination.
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Big turnout, little agreement on candidates at GOP caucuses
A couple of decades after voting for independent presidential candidate Ross Perot, Greg Keller regrets the choice. Keller was one of nine participants in his precinct caucus Saturday morning at the Corbin Senior Activity Center, and he was outnumbered by supporters of Ron Paul as he argued politely against the Texas congressman’s candidacy.
GOP turn out in force for local caucuses
A couple of decades after voting for independent presidential candidate Ross Perot, Greg Keller regrets the choice. Keller was one of nine participants in his precinct caucus Saturday morning at the Corbin Senior Activity Center, and he was outnumbered by supporters of Ron Paul as he argued politely against Paul’s candidacy.
State caucuses to set tone for Super Tuesday vote
With the primaries in Arizona and Michigan history, the focus on the race to capture the Republican presidential nomination turns to Washington, and its position could be crucial. That’s because it’s the final chance for candidates to get momentum before the all-important Super Tuesday showdown in 10 states, including Idaho, on Tuesday.
McMorris Rodgers pushing Romney for East Side visit
OLYMPIA – In this year’s volatile Republican presidential campaign, Mitt Romney’s success in the March 3 Washington caucuses may depend on how well he does in the two contests earlier in the week, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the chairwoman of his state campaign, said Wednesday. “It’s up and down,” McMorris Rodgers said in an interview with reporters. “Some of it depends on how things turn out in Michigan and Arizona.”