2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Mike Huckabee To Explore Presidential Bid

Former Ark. Governor Mike Huckabee To Explore Presidential Bid

1/28/2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee announced Sunday on NBC's 'Meet the Press' morning show with host Tim Russert that he will explore a presidential bid for 2008.

Huckabee, who left office Jan. 9, said,"People want an authentic conservative who has a proven record of results.”

“I’m taking the next step in becoming a candidate for President of United States,“ Huckabee, a Republican, said. “By filing papers with the Federal Election Commission, I will establish my official exploratory committee.”

The formation of an exploratory committee allows Huckabee to raise and spend money for a presidential run.

“I've concluded that I should take this necessary and vital step to bring a new kind of optimistic leadership to the public square,” Huckabee said, noting that he has received "strong, prayerful support" from his family, close friends and supporters in many states.

Last year, Huckabee campaigned in nearly 30 states on behalf of Republican candidates, state parties and conservative groups.

Huckabee became Arkansas' 44th governor in July 1996 when his predecessor resigned. He was one of the youngest governors in the country at the time. Huckabee first was elected lieutenant governor in a 1993 special election and was elected to a full four-year term in 1994. He was only the fourth Republican to be elected to statewide office since Reconstruction.

Huckabee was elected to a full four-year term as governor in 1998, attracting the largest percentage of the vote ever received by a Republican gubernatorial nominee in Arkansas, and was re-elected to another four-year term in November 2002. He was the third longest serving governor in the history of Arkansas, having served ten and a half years.

Huckabee is nationally recognized for his leadership capabilities and many accomplishments as governor. 'Governing' magazine named him as one of its Public Officials of the Year in 2005, Time magazine honored him as one of the 'Five Best Governors' in America, and he received the distinguished Impact Award from the American Association of Retired Persons.

Huckabee served as chairman of the National Governors Association and chairman of the Education Commission of the States. During his tenure as governor, Huckabee made great strides in improving education, increasing access to health care, updating technology in state government and revamping the state’s roadways.

Huckabee, a fiscal conservative, pushed through the Arkansas Legislature the first major, broad-based tax cuts in state history. He led efforts to establish a Property Taxpayers' Bill of Rights and created a welfare reform program that reduced welfare rolls in the state by almost 50 percent.

The governor is a noted speaker and author. He has given speeches on politics and public policy to groups across the country and around the world.

Born and raised in Hope, AR, Huckabee, 51, and his wife, Janet, live in North Little Rock. They have three grown children, John Mark, David and Sarah.

Official announcement activities are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Jan. 30, with a two-day tour in Iowa. (This will be the Governor's ninth trip to the Hawkeye State.)

Mike Huckabee Announces Presidential Bid

Mike Huckabee launches presidential bid

WASHINGTON - Conservative Republican Mike Huckabee, seeking to repeat the success of another former governor from Hope, Ark., said Sunday he is taking the first step in what he acknowledged is an underdog bid for the White House in 2008.

"I think this is an opportunity to show the American dream is still alive and there's hope and optimism that can be awakened in a lot of people's lives if they think that a person like me can run and actually become president," Huckabee told The Associated Press.

Yahoo News AP Story

Mike Huckabee's 'Hope for America' Political Action Committee (HAPAC) Hires Iowa Coordinator

This Press Release was issued by Mike Huckabee's Hope for America PAC.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., June 14  -- Governor Mike Huckabee's 'Hope for America' Political Action Committee (HAPAC) has hired Eric Woolson to coordinate his efforts in Iowa and a handful of other states, it was announced today.

"Keeping our majority is absolutely critical to our Party's future. I am very pleased that we were able to draft such great local talent as Eric Woolson to help us build our grassroots team in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota," Huckabee said.

Huckabee, who is currently the second-most senior governor in the United States, said Woolson will help direct HAPAC's efforts to preserve Republican majorities at the state and local levels, particularly in the Hawkeye State.

Woolson previously served as Iowa press coordinator for George W. Bush during the 2000 presidential campaign and was a part of communications teams at the Republican National Conventions at Philadelphia and New York in 2000 and 2004.

Earlier this month, Huckabee announced that he had changed the name of his political action committee from 'Healthy America' to 'Hope for America' to reflect his broader public policy focus.

"America has a health care crisis, which has enormous implications for our society and our ability to compete globally," said Huckabee, who has served as governor of Arkansas for nearly 10 years. "We wanted to make sure that people know that there is also a strong focus on other areas which include reforming education, improving our national security, and energy independence, to name a few."

The new 'Hope for America' political action committee allows Huckabee to continue to accept funds for his political activities, which include "helping Republican candidates, causes and organizations." Huckabee, who succeeded to the governor's office in 1996 and was elected in 1998 and re-elected in 2002, was born and raised in Hope, AR.

His visits to Iowa, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina and other states are part of his commitment to "keeping the G.O.P. moving forward as we head into the important 2006 mid- terms," he said.