The United States presidential election of 2012 is the next United States presidential election, to be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. It will be the 57th quadrennial presidential election in which presidential electors, who will actually elect the President and the Vice President of the United States on December 17, 2012, will be chosen. Barack Obama, who is eligible for a second and final term as President, has announced that he will seek nomination to be the Democratic Party's candidate in this election.^[1]

The 2012 presidential election will coincide with the United States Senate elections where 33 races will be occurring as well as the United States House of Representatives elections to elect the members for the 113th Congress. The election will also encompass eleven gubernatorial races as well as many state legislature races.

Electoral College changes

The 2010 Census changed the Electoral College vote apportionment for the Presidential elections from 2012 to 2020 in the following states.^[2]

States in blue represent states that gained votes, due to reapportionment based on the 2010 Census. States in orange represent states that lost votes. In the political climate of 2011, this would give the Democratic Party a net loss of six electoral votes in states won by Al Gore, John Kerry and Barack Obama in the past three presidential elections, rendering the party a national total of 242. Conversely, the Republican Party will achieve a net gain of six electoral votes in states won by George W. Bush and John McCain in the past three presidential elections, rendering the GOP a national total of 181. Votes allocated to remaining states remain unchanged from the national total of 115.

Party conventions

• April or May 2012: 2012 Constitution Party National Convention to be held in Nashville, Tennessee.^[3]
• May 4–6, 2012: 2012 Libertarian National Convention to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada^[4][5]
• August 27–30, 2012: 2012 Republican National Convention to be held in Tampa, Florida^[6][7]
• September 3–6, 2012: 2012 Democratic National Convention to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina^[8]

Candidates

The following are individuals who have either formally announced that they are running for president in 2012 and/or have filed as a candidate with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), or have formed an exploratory committee for a possible presidential run in 2012.

Democratic Party

Names of formally declared candidates appear in bold.

• Barack Obama, incumbent President of the United States from Illinois^[9][10]
• Randall Terry, pro-life activist from New York^[11][12]

Candidates

Republican Party

Main article: Republican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2012

Names of formally declared candidates appear in bold.

• Herman Cain, former Federal Reserve banker and businessman from Georgia^[13][14]
• John Davis, businessman and construction worker from Colorado ^[15][16]
• Newt Gingrich, former U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives from Georgia^[17][18]
• Gary E. Johnson former governor of New Mexico^[19][20]
• Fred Karger, political consultant and gay rights activist from California^{[21][22][23][24]}
• Andy Martin, perennial candidate from Illinois ^[25][26]
• Jimmy McMillan, perennial candidate from New York^{[27][28][29][30]}
• Roy Moore, former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court of Alabama^[31][32]
• Ron Paul, U.S. Representative from Texas^[33][34]
• Tim Pawlenty, former governor of Minnesota^[35][36]
• Buddy Roemer, former governor of Louisiana^[37][38]
• Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts^[39][40]
• Rick Santorum, former Senator from Pennsylvania ^[41][42][43]
• Jonathon Sharkey, perennial candidate, wrestler and vampire from Florida^[44][45][46]

Candidates gallery

• 

  Former Federal Reserve banker Herman Cain of Georgia (campaign)

• 

  Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich of Georgia (campaign)

• 

  Former Governor Gary E. Johnson of New Mexico (campaign)

• 

  Political consultant Fred Karger of California

• 

  Former Gubernatorial candidate Jimmy McMillan of New York

• 

  U.S. Representative Ron Paul of Texas (campaign)

• 

  Former Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota (campaign)

• 

  Former Governor Buddy Roemer of Louisiana (campaign)

• 

  Former Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts (campaign)

• 

  Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum (campaign)

Green Party

• Stewart Alexander, activist and 2008 Socialist Party USA vice-presidential nominee from California^[47][48]

Socialist Party USA

• Stewart Alexander, activist and 2008 Socialist Party USA vice-presidential nominee from California^[47][48]

Independents

Main article: United States third party and independent presidential candidates, 2012#Independent_candidates

See also: Independent (politician)

• Robert "Naked Cowboy" Burck, a street performer from New York^{[49][50][51][52]}
• Joe Schriner, a former journalist, author, and perennial candidate from Ohio^[53][54]

Prospective candidates

The following are individuals who are or have been the subject of speculation in prominent media sources as being possible presidential contenders in the 2012 election. The speculation may stem from noted media analysts and commentators, or from actions or comments made by the individuals themselves — which suggest the possibility of a presidential run — as reported in reliable media sources.

Democratic

• Liberal and populist commentator Jim Hightower of Texas ^[55][56]

Republican

Main article: Republican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2012#Prospective candidates

None of the following has formally announced his or her candidacy for the Republican Party nomination. The following individuals are currently speculated about as possible candidates:

• Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota^[57][58]
• Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John R. Bolton of Maryland^[59][60]
• Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana^[61][62]
• Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani of New York^[63][64]
• Former U.S. Ambassador to China and former Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. of Utah^[65][66]
• Representative Thad McCotter of Michigan^[67][68]
• Former Governor and 2008 Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin of Alaska^[69][70]
• Businessman Donald Trump of New York^[71][72]

Libertarian

Main article: Libertarian Party (United States) presidential candidates, 2012

• Entrepreneur and 2008 Libertarian vice-presidential nominee Wayne Allyn Root of Nevada^[4][73][74]

Independent

• Attorney, consumer advocate, and perennial presidential candidate Ralph Nader of Connecticut^[75][76][77]
• Businessman Donald Trump of New York (should he fail to receive the Republican nomination)^[78][79]

Declined to run

The following candidates have stated they do not plan to run in the 2012 presidential election. However, some candidates in past elections have denied intentions to run and later entered into those races.

Democratic

• Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York: Has definitively ruled out running for president in 2012.^[80]
• Former Governor Howard Dean of Vermont: A spokesman said: "No way, no how, not happening" when asked if Dean would challenge President Obama in the primaries, adding, "he asked me to make it explicitly clear. He supports President Obama and will support him in 2012."^[81]
• Former Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin: Feingold's chief of staff replied to speculation that he would run by saying, "Senator Feingold is not running for president in 2012. Any suggestion he is thinking of running, planning to run, or interested in running is untrue. Senator Feingold is a strong supporter of President Barack Obama and wants to see him reelected in 2012." ^[82]
• Representative Dennis Kucinich of Ohio: Responding to speculation that he might run against President Obama in the 2012 Democratic presidential primaries, Kucinich stated in August 2010 that he would not do so.^[83]

Republican

• Former U.S. Senate Nominee Sharron Angle of Nevada: When asked if she was running for president, she replied, "bottom line, no."^[84] She later announced her candidacy for the Nevada 2nd District seat in the U.S. Congress.^[85]
• Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi: Stated "I will not be a candidate for President next year."^[86]
• Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts: Has dismissed speculation that he will run for President, saying that he is running for re-election to the Senate.^[87]
• Former Governor Jeb Bush of Florida: Has repeatedly denied that he will run for president. Following renewed calls for him to do so, he was asked whether the door remained closed on a run. "Yes", was his reply.^[88]
• Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey: Repeatedly rejected the idea of running for president, saying he has no desire to run and has more power to get things done as governor of New Jersey.^[89] He has also stated "short of suicide, I don't really know what I'd have to do to convince you people that I'm not running. I'm not running." ^[90]
• Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee: When asked if he was considering running for president, Corker replied "absolutely not".^[91]
• Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina: When asked on CNN if he was planning on running in 2012 responded "No, I am not."^[92]
• Former Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas: Announced on his television show Huckabee that he would not seek the Republican Party nomination for President of the United States, saying "All the factors say go, but my heart says no."^[93]
• Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana: Repeatedly rejected the idea of running for president, despite widespread speculation to the contrary, saying "I'm not being coy at all. I'm not running for president in 2012. Period. No ifs, ands or buts, no caveats." He has confirmed that he intends to seek reelection to a second term as Governor.^[94][95]
• Governor Bob McDonnell of Virginia: When asked if he was running for president, McDonnell has said "I'm not running for anything. I'm thrilled to be governor of Virginia."^[96]
• Former New York gubernatorial nominee Carl Paladino of New York: Has said that he is not running for president or any other office.^[97]
• Former Governor George Pataki of New York: Declared "I'm not running for president" and announced that instead he was launching an advocacy group called No American Debt.^[98]
• Representative Mike Pence of Indiana: Declined speculation of a presidential run, but expressed possible interest in the governorship of Indiana when he stated that his "calling is closer to home."^[99]
• Governor Rick Perry of Texas: Has said "I don't want to be president of the United States. I'm not going to run for the presidency of the United States."^[100][101]
• General David Petraeus of New York: Responding to continued speculation has said: "I thought I'd said no about as many ways as I could. I really do mean no... I've tried Shermanesque responses... I've tried quoting the country song, 'What Part of No Don't You Understand?'... I feel very privileged to be able to serve our country. I'm honored to continue to do that as long as I can contribute, but I will not, ever, run for political office, I can assure you. And again, we have said that repeatedly and I'm hoping that people realize at a certain point you say it so many times that you could never flip, and start your career by flip-flopping into it."^[102]
• Senator Marco Rubio of Florida: Declined speculation of a presidential run shortly after taking office, stating "I wanted to be a U.S. senator, not a vice presidential candidate, not a presidential candidate".^[103]
• Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin: Said in an interview, "I'll give you as Shermanesque a quote as I can: I am not going to run for president. I'm just not going to do it. My head's not that big, and my kids are too small."^[104]
• Senator John Thune of South Dakota: On his official website, Thune stated: "I have received encouragement from family, friends, colleagues, and supporters from across South Dakota and the country to run for the presidency of the United States... at this time, I feel that I am best positioned to fight for America’s future here in the trenches of the United States Senate."^[105]
• Representative Allen West of Florida: Replied "well of course not" when asked if he had any interest in running for president or vice president.^[106]

Independent

• Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York: Has denied that he is running for president, saying: "I am not running for president. I couldn't be clearer about that." When later asked if he would change his mind, he replied, "No way, no how".^[96] (Draft movement)
• Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont: After speculation that he would challenge Obama from the left, Sanders said: "You will be the first to know: ain't gonna do it."^[107]

See also

• Nationwide opinion polling for the United States presidential election, 2012
• Statewide opinion polling for the United States presidential election, 2012
• United States presidential election, 2012 timeline

References