Mike Huckabee (R)
Mike Huckabee, winner of the Iowa Republican Caucus, was born on August 24, 1955, to Mae Elder and Dorsey W. Huckabee. He graduated magna *** laude from Ouachita Baptist University, and has received two honorary doctoral degrees. Huckabee is an ordained Southern Baptist minister. He was married to his current wife, Janet, in 1974. They have three adult children: David, John Mark, and Sarah. Huckabee became Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas in 1993, winning a special election after Governor Bill Clinton ascended to the United States presidency. He then became governor when current Governor Jim Guy Tucker announced his resignation after a federal conviction regarding the Whitewater scandal. He served the remainder of Tucker’s term, and was re-elected to two full terms as Governor, between 1996 and 2007. During his tenure, he became known for losing over 110 pounds after being diagnosed with adult-onset diabetes. Huckabee was named one of the five best governors in the US by Time Magazine in 2005, but received a less honorable distinction in 2006 when the conservative organization Judicial Watch listed him among its “Top Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians.” Mike Huckabee announced his presidential candidacy on January 28, 2007. He finished second in the Ames, Iowa Straw Poll with 18% of the vote, and went on to win the Iowa Republican Caucus by a 9% margin. He has authored or co-authored several books, the most recent being the 2007 release, Character Makes a Difference: Where I'm From, Where I've Been, and What I Believe.
Top Issues:
Immigration- Huckabee supports hiring foreign workers for agricultural jobs, believes that there should be expanded legal pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and that he feels illegal immigrants pay more in taxes than they will ever receive in benefits. During his presidential campaign, Huckabee has unveiled a plan for immigration that calls for a border fence, increased border patrol, and the requirement that all undocumented immigrants in the country currently register with the government and return to their native countries within 120 days or risk deportation with a 10 year ban on entering the United States.
Sanctity of Life-Huckabee has declared that no candidate has a stronger record on the sanctity of life then he does. His believes strongly that Roe v. Wade should be over-turned, and has committed to appointing Supreme Court Justices who will likely overturn Roe v. Wade. He has also committed to vetoing any pro-abortion legislation that Congress passes.
On Marriage-Mike Huckabee supports a federal constitutional amendment that would prohibit gay marriage. While governor of Arkansas, he passed an amendment defining marriage as being between one man and one woman. Under his guidance, Arkansas became one of only three states to adopt covenant marriages, which limit the reasons for which a divorce can be granted.
On Disabilities-Mike Huckabee has stated an opposition to stem cell research. He did not respond to the AAPD questionnaire, and staunchly opposes medical marijuana. He strongly opposes a government mandated universal health care system and supports an approach to healthcare which focuses on prevention and healthy living. His wife, Janet, was diagnosed with spine cancer early in their marriage. She faced possible paralysis, but eventually recovered fully.
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Other Candidate Profiles:
Democrats: Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Barack Obama.
Republicans: Mitt Romney, John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani
