ABOUT

Romney is not a newcomer to the national political stage; he ran for president in 2008 and finished second in both the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. The fiscal conservative has been at the top of polls throughout this presidential campaign and is endorsed by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former New Hampshire governor John Sununu. Romney’s father, George Romney, was a chairman of American Motors, governor of Michigan and ran for president in 1968.

As Massachusetts governor, Romney passed landmark health care legislation for his state, something he has come under fire for in recent GOP debates. While in office, he also cut state spending, raised fees and modified the tax code to eliminate a $1.2 million budget deficit.

Romney organized the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics. In 1999, he took over as president and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee and is credited with helping to turn around the event, which had been riddled with budget shortfalls and a bribery scandal.

ELECTIVE OFFICE

Massachusetts governor, 2003-2007

OTHER CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Romney ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate against Edward Kennedy in 1994.

He has a business background, founding Bain Capital in 1984. The investment company helped launch or reshape hundreds of companies, including Staples and Domino’s Pizza. He became a multimillionaire during his business career.

FUNDRAISING

At the end of September, Romney had about $14.7 million cash on hand, second only to Rick Perry with $15 million. In total, Romney had raised $32.2 million, topping the list of GOP candidates by a wide margin.

SOURCES

The Des Moines Register, opensecrets.org, mittromney.com, USA TODAY research by Alicia McCarty