Republican Candidate
Rick Santorum
Born:
May 10, 1958 (Winchester, Va.)
Spouse:
Karen Garver Santorum
Religion:
Roman Catholic
Background:
- U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, 1995-2007
- U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania, 1991-1995
If Santorum is to make a successful run at the 2012 Republican nomination it will most likely come as a result of his support among social conservatives who identify with his staunch opposition to abortion rights, gay marriage and stem cell research.
Santorum has rejected talk of a so-called "truce" on social issues as a political "tactic" and urged his fellow Republicans not to "retreat" from such topics.
Once upon a time Santorum was one of the GOP's most promising stars, rising to the No. 3 position in the Senate leadership, before losing his bid for a third term in 2006 by 18 percentage points.
Polls show Santorum has little name recognition nationally, so his campaign will need to pick up some early momentum in Iowa, where Evangelical voters make up a significant part of the Republican electorate, if he is to make a competitive bid for the nomination.
