Top 10 Best Republican Presidential Candidates of 2012

Welcome to the exploration of the noteworthy group of individuals who sought the Republican Party's nomination for President in the 2012 United States elections. This was a year when the political landscape was vibrant, and the competition was fierce. The candidates ranged from seasoned politicians to business leaders, each bringing their unique perspectives and visions for America's future to the table.

Each candidate had their strengths and weaknesses, their defining moments, and their stumbles. Some might argue that the best candidate is the one who resonated with their personal beliefs the most, while others may judge based on charisma, policy proposals, or leadership skills.

The Top Ten

  1. Ron Paul

    Ronald Ernest Paul is an American author, physician, and retired politician. He served as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 22nd congressional district from 1976 to 1977 and again from 1979 to 1985, and for Texas's 14th congressional district from 1997 to 2013. Paul is known for his libertarian political... read more

    Not even close. Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, and Benjamin Franklin all would vote for him. "The best government is the one that governs the least," ~Thomas Jefferson. I might add one that follows the Constitution, just like Ron Paul.

    The person that the United States, and the world in fact, needs in order to modernize.

    Ron Paul is awesome! He is the only Republican candidate with a sensible mind and cares about all people. He is not a religious fanatic. Yes, I'm atheist.

  2. Mitt Romney

    Willard Mitt Romney is an American businessman and politician who served as the 70th Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007. He was the Republican Party's nominee for President of the United States in the 2012 election. Romney also served as a United States senator from Utah from 2019 to 2025, choosing... read more

    The only candidate that's friendly with us atheist liberals and Fox News haters. He's not a gay-hating person. Also, he's the only one who knows what he is doing with our economy. Lower taxes, insource, better for everyone.

    He would be the first Mormon president. It's true.

  3. Newt Gingrich

    Newton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich is an American politician, historian, and consultant. He served as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999 and was a leading figure in the Republican Party during the 1990s. After leaving Congress, he has remained active as a political commentator and... read more

  4. Chris Christie

    Christopher James "Chris" Christie is an American attorney and politician who served as the 55th Governor of New Jersey from 2010 to 2018. A member of the Republican Party, he gained national recognition for his response to Hurricane Sandy and for his 2016 presidential campaign. Christie has remained... read more

  5. Paul Ryan

    Paul Davis Ryan Jr. is an American politician and former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. He held the speakership from October 2015 to January 2019. Ryan was also the Republican nominee for Vice President in the 2012 election alongside Mitt Romney.

  6. Rand Paul

    Randal Howard "Rand" Paul is an American physician and politician. Born on January 7, 1963, he has served as the United States Senator from Kentucky since 2011. A member of the Republican Party, Paul is known for his libertarian-leaning views and affiliation with the Tea Party movement.

  7. Bobby Jindal

    Piyush "Bobby" Jindal is an American politician who served as the 55th Governor of Louisiana from 2008 to 2016. He is a former U.S. Congressman and also served as the Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Planning and Evaluation under President George W. Bush. Jindal was the first Indian-American... read more

    A young Indian man going up against a young Black man could be interesting.

  8. Sarah Palin

    Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator, and author who served as the ninth Governor of Alaska from 2006 until her resignation in 2009. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 Presidential election, she ran alongside Republican presidential nominee Arizona Senator... read more

    It would be a dead tie between Palin and Romney. I suppose I would have to vote for whomever doesn't get booted out of the campaign in the primaries, if I were 18 (sighs in disappointment).

  9. Herman Cain

  10. Jon Huntsman Jr.

    He is the Governor of Utah, but Obama named him Ambassador to China.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Ben Carson

    Benjamin Solomon "Ben" Carson, Sr. is a retired American neurosurgeon and former candidate for President of the United States. He gained fame for his pioneering work in pediatric neurosurgery, including the first successful separation of conjoined twins joined at the back of the head. Carson later served... read more

    This is 2016 talking to you from the future. Not so much.

  12. ?

    Gary Johnson

    Gary Earl Johnson is an American businessman, author, and politician who served as the 29th Governor of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003 as a member of the Republican Party. He later ran for President of the United States as the Libertarian Party nominee in the 2012 and 2016 elections. Johnson is also known... read more

    He is a libertarian who is also an atheist, and he is the only atheist in the election.

    13. The Contenders

  13. Jeb Bush

    John Ellis "Jeb" Bush is an American politician and businessman who served as the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. He is a member of the Bush political family, the son of former President George H. W. Bush, and the brother of former President George W. Bush. Jeb Bush ran for the Republican... read more

  14. Marco Rubio

    Marco Antonio Rubio is an American politician and attorney, currently serving as the junior United States Senator from Florida, a position he has held since 2011. He was a candidate for the Republican nomination in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Rubio has served on several Senate committees, including... read more

  15. Dick Cheney

    Richard Bruce Cheney, commonly known as Dick Cheney, was an American politician and businessman who served as the 46th Vice President of the United States from 2001 to 2009 under President George W. Bush. He previously held roles such as White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford and Secretary... read more

  16. Mike Huckabee

    Michael Dale Huckabee (born August 24, 1955) is an American political commentator, Baptist minister, and politician. He served as the 44th governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. Huckabee was a candidate for the Republican Party's presidential nomination in both 2008 and 2016. He currently serves as... read more

    Huckabee has great potential. He was second place in 2008 and fought hard. He doesn't come across as nutty as Palin or Newt.

  17. Rudy Giuliani

  18. Eric Cantor

    He is the number two House Republican, in case you're unaware.

  19. John Ensign

    People will forget about the scandal soon enough, Ensign.

  20. Mark Sanford

  21. Tim Pawlenty

    Has there ever been a faster fade-out than this incredible phony from my state of Minnesota? He got his cushy lobbying job, which was all he wanted in the first place. Thank God we elected Mark Dayton as his successor!

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