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{{Future election candidate|Romney, Mitt}}

{{Infobox_Governor

|name=Mitt Romney

|image=Mitt Romney 2007 profile portrait.jpg

|caption=

|order=70th

|office= Governor of Massachusetts

|term_start= [[January 2]], [[2003]]

|term_end= [[January 4]], [[2007]]

|lieutenant= [[Kerry Healey]]

|predecessor= [[Jane M. Swift]] (acting)

|successor= [[Deval Patrick]]

|birth_date= {{birth date and age|1947|03|12}}

|birth_place= [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]], [[Michigan]]

|nationality= [[United States|American]]

|spouse= [[Ann Romney]]

|party= [[United States Republican Party|Republican]]

|religion=[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] ([[Mormon]])

}}

'''Willard Mitt Romney''' (born [[March 12]] [[1947]], usually known as '''Mitt'''), was the 70th [[Governor of Massachusetts|Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts]]. Elected in 2002, Romney served one term and did not seek re-election in 2006; his term ended [[January 4]], [[2007]].<ref>Phillips, Frank and Helman, Scott. [http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/12/15/its_1_term_for_romney_he_says_future_is_open/ "It's 1 term for Romney; he says 'future is open'"] ''The Boston Globe'', December 15, 2005), retrieved October 28, 2006.</ref> Romney has started [[Mitt Romney presidential campaign, 2008|his campaign]] for the [[Potential Republican candidates in the 2008 United States presidential election|Republican presidential nomination in 2008]], having formally announced his candidacy on [[February 13]], [[2007]]. He made his announcement at the [[Henry Ford Museum]] in [[Dearborn, Michigan]].<ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/breaking_news/2007/02/romney_formally_2.html Romney formally announces run for president] ''Boston Globe,'' February 13, 2007</ref>

What does "undo" do exactly?

Romney is a former [[CEO]] of [[Bain & Company]], a [[management consulting]] firm, and the co-founder of [[Bain Capital]], a [[private equity]] investment firm. Prior to Bain, he worked for [[The Boston Consulting Group]]. Romney is credited with reviving the [[2002 Winter Olympics]] in [[Salt Lake City|Salt Lake City, Utah]] from near bankruptcy as the Salt Lake Olympic Committee's CEO and organizer after scandal led to financial disarray.

==Biography==

Romney was born [[March 12]], [[1947]] in [[Detroit, Michigan]]. He is the son of former [[List of Governors of Michigan|Michigan Governor]], [[Housing and Urban Development]] Secretary, [[American Motors]] chairman, and presidential candidate [[George W. Romney]] and 1970 U.S. Senate candidate [[Lenore Romney]].

Romney married his high school sweetheart, [[Ann Romney|Ann Davies]] in 1968. They have five sons (Tagg, Matt, Josh, Ben, and Craig) and ten grandchildren. Ann Romney was diagnosed with [[multiple sclerosis]] in 1998.<ref>[http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/news/Feb2002/OlympicCommitteePresidentsWifewMS.html "The woman behind the man in charge of the Salt Lake Games"] ''Cable News Network'' Interview transcript of February 11, 2002 08:04; retrieved October 28, 2006.</ref> The Romneys are practicing [[Mormons]] and members of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]].

Romney has three siblings: Lynn, Jane, and G. Scott. He was named after hotel magnate [[J. Willard Marriott]], his father's best friend,<ref name="willard">Wheaton, Sarah. "[http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/01/28/romney-appeals-to-core-audience/ Romney Appeals to Core Audience.]" ''The New York Times'', [[28 January]] 2007.</ref> and Milton "Mitt" Romney, a relative who played football for the [[Chicago Bears]].<ref>AP. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061124/POLITICS/611240358/1022, November 24, 2006, retrieved December 25, 2006.</ref>

===Early life and education===

Mitt Romney graduated from the Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills (now [[Cranbrook Kingswood School]]). He met his future wife, Ann Davies, when she was at the Kingswood School.

After attending [[Stanford University]] for two quarters, Romney served in [[France]] for 30 months as an [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|LDS]] (Mormon) [[missionary]].<ref>Miller, John J. "[http://www.nationalreview.com/miller/miller200506031216.asp Matinee Mitt.]" ''National Review, June 20 2005.- </ref> Upon returning from France he transferred to [[Brigham Young University]], where he was [[valedictorian]], earning his [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]] ''[[Latin Honors|summa cum laude]]'' in 1971. In 1975, Romney graduated from a joint [[Juris Doctor|JD]]/[[Master of Business Administration|MBA]] program coordinated between [[Harvard Law School]] and [[Harvard Business School]]. He graduated ''[[Latin Honors|cum laude]]'' from the law school and was named a [[Baker Scholar]] for graduating in the top 5 percent of his business school class.<ref>AP. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061124/POLITICS/611240358/1022, November 24, 2006, retrieved December 25, 2006.</ref>

===Business career===

After graduating from Harvard, Romney went to work for the [[Boston Consulting Group]], where he had interned during the summer of 1974.<ref>Lewis, Raphael and Helman, Scott. [http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/11/08/romney_cultivating_jewish_ties/ "Romney Cultivating Jewish Ties"] ''Boston Globe'', [[November 8]] [[2005]], retrieved [[October 28]], [[2006]].</ref> From 1978 to 1984, Romney was a vice president of [[Bain & Company]], Inc., another Boston-based [[management consulting]] firm. In 1984, Romney left the company to co-found [[Bain Capital]], which quickly became a highly successful [[private equity]] investment firm.<ref>Pappu, Sridhar. [http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200509/pappu/3 "The Holy Cow! Candidate"], ''The Atlantic Monthly'', September 2005, retrieved [[October 28]], [[2006]].</ref>

In 1990, Romney was asked to return to Bain & Company, which was facing financial collapse. As CEO, Romney managed an effort to restructure the firm's employee stock-ownership plan, real-estate deals and bank loans, while increasing fiscal transparency. Within a year, he had led Bain & Company through a highly successful turnaround and returned the firm to profitability without layoffs or partner defections.<ref name="MrPowerPoint">Rees, Matthew. [http://www.american.com/archive/2006/december/mitt-romney/ "Mister PowerPoint Goes to Washington"] ''The American'', [[December 1]], [[2006]], retrieved December 16, 2006.</ref>

Following his year at Bain & Company, Romney returned to Bain Capital. During the 14 years he headed the company, Bain Capital's average annual internal rate of return on realized investments was 113 percent.<ref name="MrPowerPoint" /> During Romney's tenure, the firm founded, acquired or invested in hundreds of companies including [[Staples Inc.|Staples]], Bright Horizons Family Solutions, [[Brookstone]], [[Domino's]], [[Sealy Corporation]] and [[The Sports Authority]] [http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2001/08/20/daily27.html]. Romney now refers to Bain as a [[venture capital]] firm, but its main business is conducting [[leveraged buyouts]].<ref>[http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/06/04/romneys-presidential-run-throws-spotlight-on-bain-capital/ "Romney’s Presidential Run Puts Spotlight on Bain Capital"], ''New York Times DealBook'', [[June 4]], [[2007]].</ref>

Romney left Bain Capital in 1998 to head the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games Organizing Committee. His net worth has been estimated as at least $500 million [[USD]].<ref> http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov2terminal&L=2&L0=Home&L1=Romney%20Team&sid=Agov2&f=gov_mittromneybio_homepage&csid=Agov2&b=terminalcontent</ref>

===CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee===

<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:SLOolympic02torch.JPG|thumb|300px|Mitt Romney presents a copy of the [[2002 Olympic Winter Games]] torch to [[United States Deputy Secretary of State]] [[Richard Armitage]] at the State Department.]] -->

Romney served as president and CEO of the [[2002 Olympic Winter Games]] held in [[Salt Lake City]]. In 1999, the event was running $379 million short of its revenue benchmarks. Plans were being made to scale back the games in order to compensate for the fiscal crisis.<ref>{{citenews | first=Steve | last=Carp | coauthors= | title= Romney's efforts credited for saving Salt Lake Games |date=[[July 22]], [[2001]] | publisher= | url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2001/Jul-22-Sun-2001/news/16571104.html | work=Las Vegas Review Journal | pages= | accessdate = 2007-04-20 | language = }}</ref> The Games were also damaged by [[2002 Winter Olympic bid scandal|allegations of bribery]] involving top officials, including then Salt Lake Olympic Committee (SLOC) President and CEO [[Frank Joklik]]. Joklik and SLOC vice president Dave Johnson were forced to resign.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/US/9901/08/olympic.bribes.03/ "Salt Lake Olympics rocked by resignations, evidence of payments"] ''CNN.com'', January 8, 1999, retrieved October 28, 2006.</ref>

On [[February 11]], [[1999]], Romney was hired as the new president and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee.<ref name="Fire Within"> Call, Jeff [http://magazine.byu.edu/?act=view&a=843 "'The Fire Within"] ''BYU Magazine'', Winter 2002, retrieved October 28, 2006.</ref> Romney revamped the organization's leadership and policies, reduced budgets and boosted fundraising. He also worked to ensure the safety of the Games following the terrorist attacks of [[September 11, 2001]] by coordinating a $300 million security budget.<ref> Rice, Lewis. [http://www.law.harvard.edu/alumni/bulletin/2002/spring/feature_1-2.html "Games Saver"] ''Harvard Law Bulletin'', Spring 2002, retrieved October 28, 2006.</ref> Despite the initial fiscal shortfall, the Games ended up clearing a profit of $100 million.<ref>{{citenews | first= | last= | coauthors= | title= SLOC plotting how to dole out Olympics profits

|date=[[September 17]], [[2002]] | publisher= | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=1433186&type=news | work=Associated Press | pages= | accessdate = 2007-04-20 }}</ref> Following the conclusion of the Games, [[President George W. Bush]] praised Romney's management.<ref>Bush, George W. [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/04/20020423-8.html "President Congratulates Olympic and Paralympic Athletes: Remarks by the President to the Olympians and Paralympians"] whitehouse.gov, Office of the Press Secretary, April 23, 2002, retrieved October 28, 2006.</ref>

Romney contributed $1 million to the Olympics, and donated the $825,000 ($275,000 per annum) salary he earned as President and CEO to charity.<ref>Eastland, Terry [http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/005/672kwvro.asp "In 2008, Will It Be Mormon in America?"] ''The Weekly Standard'' June 6, 2005, retrieved October 28, 2006.</ref> He wrote a book about his experience called ''Turnaround: Crisis, Leadership and the Olympic Games'' (ISBN 0895260840).

==Massachusetts political campaigns ==

=== Campaign for United States Senate, 1994 election ===

In 1994, Romney won the Massachusetts Republican Party's nomination for [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] after defeating businessman John Lakian in the primary.<ref>Gizzi, John [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3827/is_200405/ai_n9436529 "Romney and Rebellion"] ''Human Events Publishing,'' May 17, 2004; retrieved October 29, 2004</ref> Some early polls showed Romney only slightly behind Senator [[Edward Kennedy|Ted Kennedy]]. One ''[[Boston Herald]]''/[[WCVB]]-TV poll taken after the [[September 20]], [[1994]] primary showed Romney ahead 44 percent to 42 percent, within the poll's sampling [[margin of error]].<ref>Gordon, Al. [http://www.algordon.com/Newsday/kennedy_in_fokight_of_his_political_life_10-02-1994.html "Kennedy in Fight Of His Political Life" ] ''Newsday'' (Nassau and Suffoklk edition), pg. A04, October 2, 1994; retrieved October 29, 2006.</ref> According to figures in ''[[The Almanac of American Politics]] 1996'', which relies on official campaign finance reports, Romney spent over $7 million, with Kennedy spending over $10 million, mostly in the last weeks of the campaign. (This was the second-most expensive race of the 1994 election cycle, after the [[Dianne Feinstein]] vs. [[Michael Huffington]] Senate race in [[California]].)<ref>{{citenews | first=Jerry | last=Miller | coauthors= | title= Record Fundraising |date=[[April 24]], [[2000]] | publisher= | url=http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Try=No&Page=\Politics\archive\200004\POL20000424d.html | work=CNSNews | pages= | accessdate = 2007-04-20 | language = }}</ref> Kennedy won the election with 58 percent of the vote to Romney's 41 percent. The 17-percentage point winning margin was the smallest in Kennedy's nine election contests for the Senate through 2006.<ref>Taranto, James. [http:/www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110007755 "Latter-day President?: A Mitt Romney candidacy would test the religious right"] ''The Wall Street Journal'' Saturday, December 31, 2005; retrieved October 29, 2006.</ref>

===Campaign for Governor, 2002 election===

{{main|Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 2002}}

In 2002, Republican Lieutenant Governor [[Jane Swift]] was expected to campaign for the governor's office. Swift had served as [[acting governor]] after Republican Governor [[Paul Cellucci]] resigned upon being appointed U.S. Ambassador to Canada. Swift was viewed as an unpopular executive, and her administration was plagued by political missteps and personal scandals.<ref>Associated Press. [http://tspweb02.tsp.utexas.edu/webarchive/04-11-01/2001041120_s02_Massachuse.html "Massachusetts's first female governor takes office, under heavy statewide scrutiny"] ''The Daily Texan'', April 11, 2001; retrieved October 29, 2006.</ref> Many Republicans viewed her as a liability and considered her unable to win a general election against a Democrat.<ref>Frank, Mitch. [http://www.time.com/time/columnist/frank/article/0,9565,219417,00.html "Jane Swift Takes One For the Team:The Massachusetts GOP took a risk by choosing Mitt Romney over the more progressive Swift. Will their decision come back to haunt them?" ] ''Time Magazine,'' Mar. 21, 2002; retrieved Octover 29, 2006.</ref> Prominent GOP activists campaigned to persuade Romney to run for governor.<ref>Berwick Jr, Bob and Roch, Lisa Riley. [http://deseretnews.com/oly/view/0,3949,70001352,00.html "Boston GOP beseeching Mitt: But hero of S.L. Games is coy about his future"] ''[[Deseret News]]'', February 22, 2002; retrieved November 1, 2006.</ref> One poll taken at this time showed that Republicans favored Romney over Swift by more than 50 percentage points.<ref> [http://archives.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/03/19/massachusetts.governor/index.html "Swift exits, Romney joins Mass. governor's race" ] ''Cable News Network,'' March 19, 2002; retrieved October 30, 2006.</ref> With growing speculation that Romney would challenge Swift in a bruising primary battle, Swift decided not to seek her party's nomination.

[[Massachusetts Democratic Party]] officials claimed that Romney was ineligible to run for governor, citing residency issues. The [[Massachusetts Constitution]] requires seven consecutive years of residency prior to a run for office. Romney claimed residency in Utah from 1999 to 2002, during his time as president of the Salt Lake City Olympic Committee. In 1999 he listed himself as a part-time Massachusetts resident.<ref><!--review for best method to handle AP sources-->Mcelhenny, John (Associated Press) [http://www.seacoastcareers.com/2002news/06182002/south_of/10016.htm "Romney defends right to run for governor"] ''Portsmouth Herald", Tuesday, June 18, 2002, retrieved November 1, 2006.</ref> The [[Massachusetts Democratic Party]] filed a complaint with the Massachusetts State Ballot Law Commission, which eventually ruled that Romney was eligible to run for office. The ruling was not challenged in court.<ref> Belluck, Pam. [http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40911FD3C5A0C758EDDAF0894DA404482&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fR%2fRomney%2c%20Mitt "Massachusetts Ballot Panel Allows Race By Republican"] ''New York Times'' (Abstract) (Page A-17, Col. 4), June 26, 2002, retrieved Nombermber 1, 2006.</ref>

During the general election Romney ran on a reform platform; a major issue in the election was the state budget crisis. Supporters of Romney hailed his business record, especially his success with the 2002 Olympics, as that of one who would be able to bring in a new era of efficiency into Massachusetts politics.<ref>[http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2002/races/ma_governor.html "Vote 2002: Massachusetts Governor's Race"] ''PBS Online News Hour'' (No Date); retrieved November 1, 2006.</ref> Romney contributed $6.3 million to his own campaign during the election, at the time a state record.<ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/candidates/articles/2006/08/22/gabrieli_surpasses_spending_record/ "Gabrieli surpasses spending record"] Brian C. Mooney ''Boston Globe''; August 22, 2006, Retrieved November 20, 2006. </ref> Romney was elected Governor in November 2002 with 50 percent of the vote over Democratic candidate [[Shannon O'Brien]], who received 45 percent.<ref> [http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2002/pages/governor/ "2002 Election Results, Govornor"] 'CNN.com''; retrieved November 1, 2006.</ref>

== Governor of Massachusetts, 2003–2007 ==

{{main|Governorship of Mitt Romney}}

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Romney was sworn in as the 70th governor of Massachusetts on [[January 2]], [[2003]], along with Lieutenant Governor [[Kerry Healey]]. Romney personally declined to be compensated for his services during his one term as governor, but has been criticized by the group [[Common Cause]] for the many out of state trips he has taken, stating that he used state resources to promote his own political career as well as other GOP candidates.

Mary Boyle of Common Cause stated "The people of Massachusetts are essentially funding his presidential campaign, whether they like it or not..."

Former Governor [[Michael Dukakis]] criticized Romney for using Massachusetts State Troopers as security on his travels, as he never traveled with one during his 1988 presidential run, and stated that Romney's campaign should reimburse the state. <ref>{{citenews | first=Frank | last=Phillips | coauthors=Brian C. Mooney | title= Taxpayers face leap in governor's travel costs |date=[[June 21]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/06/21/taxpayers_face_leap_in_governors_travel_costs/ | work=Boston Globe | pages= | accessdate = 2007-04-20 | language = }}</ref>

On [[December 14]], [[2005]], Romney announced that he would not seek re-election for a second term as governor, fueling speculation about a run for the White House in 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/12/14/romney_to_announce_he_wont_seek_re_election/ |title=Romney to announce he won't seek re-election |last=Phillips |first=Frank |date=2005-12-14 |accessdate=2006-11-21 |work=Boston Globe}}</ref> Romney's term ended [[January 4]], [[2007]].

Romney filed papers to establish a formal exploratory presidential campaign committee the next to last day in office as governor.<ref>Estes, Andrea; and Helman, Scott.

[http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/01/04/romney_exits_with_pomp_ambition/?page=full Romney exits with pomp, ambition: Ends term, takes 1st formal step for White House bid] ''Boston Globe. January 4, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2007.</ref>

== Campaign for United States President, 2008 election ==

[[Image:RomneyTime.JPG|right|thumb|Romney on the [[May 21]] [[2007]] cover of [[TIME magazine]]]]

{{main|Mitt Romney presidential campaign, 2008}}

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Since his appearance at the [[2004 Republican National Convention]], Romney had been discussed as a potential 2008 presidential candidate.<ref>Bradley, Nina [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5831818/ "Is Romney ready for the big time?: Mass. Gov. gets plum prime-time speaking spot during convention] ''MSNBC'', August 29, 2004; retrieved October 29, 2006</ref> On [[January 3]] [[2007]], two days before he stepped down as governor of Massachusetts, Romney filed to form a presidential [[exploratory committee]] with the [[Federal Election Commission]].<!-- note: find original reference on the article's history, and fix this footnote. Please do not delete this item.

--><ref name="010307-FiledwithFEC" /><ref> [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/04/us/politics/04romney.html Romney Takes Step Toward an ’08 Run] ''New York Times,'' January 4, 2007. Retrieved January 4, 2007.</ref> On [[February 13]], [[2007]] Romney formally announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president in 2008.

On [[April 2]] [[2007]], in a surprise to political watchers the "Romney for President" campaign announced it had raised $23 million during the first 3 months of 2007, ahead of GOP competitors (McCain and Giuliani), and behind Senator [[Hillary Clinton]]'s (D-NY) $26 million and Senator [[Barack Obama]]'s (D-IL) $25 million.<ref>

[http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/First_Quarter_Receipts Romney for President Reports $23 Million In Total Receipts For The First Quarter] "Romney for President" April 2, 2007. Retrieved April 2, 2007.</ref><ref> [http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/ Giuliani posts $15 million for presidential campaign, McCain raises $12.5 million in first quarter, Edwards campaign raises $14 million, Clinton raises $26 million for presidential bid] "CNN News" April 2, 2007. Retrieved April 2, 2007.

</ref>

Romney participated in the first 2008 Republican Presidential Candidates Debate on [[May 3]], [[2007]] at the [[Ronald Reagan Presidential Library]] along with the other Republican presidential contenders. Romney also participated in the second 2008 Republican Candidates Debate on [[May 15]], [[2007]] at the [[University of South Carolina]].

==Political positions==

{{main|Political positions of Mitt Romney}}

Romney now holds [[pro-life]] views, though in 1994 he supported [[abortion rights]] in Massachusetts, which he says was a result of having a sister-in-law die as the result of an illegal abortion.

<ref> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17023959/ </ref><ref>http://www.ontheissues.org/Mitt_Romney.htm</ref><ref> Tumulty, Karen [http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1619212,00.html What Romney believes] ''Time Magazine,'' May 10, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2007. </ref>

In the 2002 Massachusetts gubernatorial campaign, he was endorsed by the Republicans for Choice coalition.<ref name="Globe_Ebbert_abortion_stance"> Ebbert, Stephanie. [http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/07/03/clarity_sought_on_romneys_abortion_stance/?page=full Clarity sought on Romney's abortion stance] ''The Boston Globe,'' July 3, 2005.

</ref>

In a [[March 15]] [[2007]] interview with [[Larry King]], Romney explained that while governor he adapted his political position on abortion when the idea of [[human cloning|cloning]] human embryos for the purpose of harvesting [[stem cells]] became an issue of debate in his state.<ref>Larry King Live, March 15, 2007[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0703/15/lkl.01.html]</ref>

He supports the [[death penalty]], [[charter schools]], and sentencing under the [[three strikes law]].<ref>{{citenews | first=Raphael | last=Lewis | coauthors= | title= Romney files death penalty bill |date=[[April 29]], [[2005]] | publisher= | url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/04/29/romney_files_death_penalty_bill?pg=full | work=Boston Globe | pages= | accessdate = 2007-04-20 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{citenews | first=Maria | last=Sacchetti | coauthors= | title= Romney plan would greatly boost charter schools |date=[[February 1]], [[2005]] | publisher= | url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/02/01/romney_plan_would_greatly_boost_charter_schools/ | work=Boston Globe | pages= | accessdate = 2007-04-20 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{citenews | first= | last= | coauthors= | title= Mitt Romney on crime |date=[[]], [[1994]] | publisher= | url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Crime.htm | work=OnTheIssues | pages= | accessdate = 2007-04-20 | language = }}</ref>

During his 1994 run for the senate against Kennedy, Romney sent a letter to the [[Log Cabin Republicans]], where he was quoted as saying he would be more supportive of gay rights than Kennedy himself. His letter included the phrase "We must make equality for gays and lesbians a mainstream concern."<ref name="NYTimes gay rights">{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/09/us/politics/09romney.html?ex=1323320400&en=a1848ee252cfecaf&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss |title=Romney’s Gay Rights Stance Draws Ire |work=New York Times |date=2006-12-09 |accessdate=2007-02-21}}</ref> However, he opposed both [[same-sex marriage]] and [[civil union]]s in Massachusetts; when the [[Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court]] ordered such marriages be permitted, he lobbied for a constitutional amendment to overturn the decision. He has renounced his past support for [[domestic partnership]] benefits.<ref>{{citenews | first=Frank | last=Phillips | coauthors= | title= Romney's stance on civil unions draws fire |date=[[February 23]], [[2005]] | publisher= | url=http://www.boston.com/news/specials/gay_marriage/articles/2005/02/23/romneys_stance_on_civil_unions_draws_fire/ | work=LifesiteNews | pages= | accessdate = 2007-04-20 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{citenews | first=Phillip | last=Klein | coauthors= | title= When Romney Attacks |date=[[March 8]], [[2007]] | publisher= | url=http://theamericanprowler.com/dsp_article.asp?art_id=11120 | work=American Spectator | pages= | accessdate = 2007-04-20 | language = }}</ref> He has been criticized by many in the right wing, particularly [[Paul Weyrich]], as being a "[[Flip-flop (politics)|flip flopper]]" on this and other issues.

==Religion==

Romney is a member of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS). If he wins the nomination, he would be the first Mormon candidate on a major party's presidential ticket. In pursuing the Republican Party presidential nomination, he is following in the footsteps of fellow Mormon [[Sen. Orrin Hatch]], who led a bid in the 2000 presidential primary.<ref>http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/005/672kwvro.asp</ref> In contrast to Sen. Hatch's 2000 attempt, Romney is felt to be a major contender, and so the effect his religion would have on the election has come under serious consideration by pundits.<ref>http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2005/0509.sullivan1.html</ref> Whether it will hurt or help his candidacy remains to be seen; 17% of the American electorate professes that they would not consider voting for a Mormon<ref>http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2005/0509.sullivan1.html</ref>, but his membership in the LDS church provides benefits as well. The church membership has significant financial and organizational resources that the Romney campaign has already made efforts to tap, according to an article last year in the Boston Globe.<ref>http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/10/19/romney_camp_consulted_with_mormon_leaders/</ref> Like such previous religious-political groundbreakers as [[President John F. Kennedy]] and former Vice Presidential candidate [[Joe Lieberman|Sen. Joseph Leiberman]], Romney belongs to a religion about which many Americans know relatively little. [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints]] is perhaps the most secretive of all the major religious denominations, and keeps its financial holdings, estimated to be over $30 billion dollars, secret, and does not allow persons who are not members in good standing to visit its temples or witness its many ceremonies.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints</ref>

==Electoral history==

*'''2002 Race for Governor, Massachusetts'''

**Mitt Romney (R), 50%

**[[Shannon O'Brien]] (D), 45%

**[[Jill Stein]] (J), 3%

**[[Carla Howell]] (L), 1%

**Barbara Johnson (U), 1%

*'''1994 Race for U.S. Senate, Massachusetts'''

**[[Edward Kennedy]] (D) (incumbent), 58%

**Mitt Romney (R), 41%

**Lauraleigh Dozier (L), 0.7%

**William Ferguson, 0.2%

== See also ==

* [[Mitt Romney presidential campaign, 2008]]

* [[Political positions of Mitt Romney]]

* [[Governorship of Mitt Romney]]

==Notes==

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==External links==

{{Sisterlinks|Mitt Romney}}

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;Official

* [http://www.mittromney.com Mitt Romney for President 2008 Website]

* [http://www.thecommonwealthpac.com/ Mitt Romney's Commonwealth PAC]

* [http://www.mass.gov/statehouse/massgovs/mromney.htm Official Massachusetts Governor Biography]

* [http://myspace.com/mittromney Official Mitt Romney MySpace Site]

* [http://www.youtube.com/mittromney Official Romney YouTube Site] Campaign videos and advertisements.

;Speeches, multimedia and transcripts

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_w9pquznG4 Romney 2002 Gubernatorial debate]

*[http://www.c-span.org/search/basic.asp?ResultStart=1&ResultCount=10&BasicQueryText=mitt+romney&image1.x=18&image1.y=2 C-Span Archives—Speeches in S.C., N.H., & Mich] ([http://www.real.com RealPlayer] required)

*[http://mitworld.mit.edu/video/125/ MIT Keynote Address]

*[http://www.heritage.org/Press/Events/ev012606b.cfm Healthcare Reform Speech at the Heritage Foundation] video

*[http://www.goupstate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060623/NEWS70/60623008/1044 Governor Romney Speaks To Spartanburg SC Event]

;Interviews

*[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,258517,00.html March 13, 2007 Mitt Romney on State of Campaign, Conservative Credentials] Interview by Fox News's Sean Hannity

*[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=18683 December 28, 2006 Mitt Romney Discusses Iraq War, Reagan's Influence and Gay Marriage] by [[Robert Bluey]]

*[http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MmY1MTQyMTk0Yjk2ZDNmZmVmNmNkNjY4ODExMGM5NWE= December 17, 2006 National Review Q&A with Mitt Romney]

*[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4362623183954478320&q=tvshow%3ACharlie_Rose June 5, 2006 Charlie Rose Interview] Guest Host Judy Woodruff

*[http://www.q-and-a.org/Program/index.asp?ProgramID=1066 March 19, 2006 C-Span Q&A] video and transcript

;Databases and information

* [http://myclob.pbwiki.com/Press%20Releases Press Releases while Governor of Massachusetts]

* [http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/can_detail/P80003353 Federal Election Commission - Mitt Romney] campaign finance reports and data

* [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200219&c=54225 Follow the Money - Mitt Romney] campaign contributions

* [http://www.newsmeat.com/washington_political_donations/Mitt_Romney.php NewsMeat - Campaign Contributions Made by Mitt Romney]

* [http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.asp?id=N00000286&cycle=2008 OpenSecrets.org - Mitt Romney] campaign contributions

* [http://vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=CNIP7799 Project Vote Smart] voter information

* [http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/primaries/candidates/romney.html NewsHour with Jim Lehrer - Vote 2008: Mitt Romney]

*[http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/r/mitt_romney/index.html New York Times - Mitt Romney] news and commentary

*{{dmoz|Regional/North_America/United_States/Society_and_Culture/Politics/Candidates_and_Campaigns/Presidential/2008/Candidates/Romney,_Mitt}}

;Media coverage

*[http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig4/howell5.html Mitt Romney: Champion of Big Government] by [[Carla Howell]], [[31 May]] [[2007]]

*[http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/romney_gaffes/article/0,28804,1621231_1621230,00.html Mitt Romney's Top Ten Gaffe's (2007)] from TIME.com

*[http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110008991 "Romney Rides High"] ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', [[September 25]] [[2006]]

*[http://www.economist.com/world/na/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7971009 "Mitt Romney's Problem"] ''[[The Economist]]'', [[September 28]] 2006

*[http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=9666 Mighty Mitt Romney] The American Spectator, March 2006

*[http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060711/OPINION01/607110364/1056/NEWS09/ "Yepsen: So far, Romney's been most impressive Republican"] ''[[Des Moines Register]]'' [[11 July]] 2006

*[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15851488 "Is America ready for a Mormon president?"] Reuters, [[23 November]] [[2006]]

*[http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2005/0509.sullivan1.html Mitt Romney's Evangelical Problem], ''[[The Washington Monthly]]'', September, 2005

*[http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/01/22/activist_rains_on_romneys_parade/ "Activist rains on Romney's parade: Says the candidate is not conservative"] ''[[The Boston Globe]]'', [[22 January]] [[2007]]

*Hugh Hewitt, ''A Mormon in the White House?: 10 Things Every American Should Know about Mitt Romney'', Regnery Press, 2007. ISBN 159698502X

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{{s-off}}

{{succession box

| before = [[Paul Cellucci|Argeo Paul Cellucci]]

| title = [[Massachusetts]] [[United States Republican Party|Republican Party]] [[Governor of Massachusetts|gubernatorial]] candidate

| years=[[Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 2002|2002]] (won)

| after=[[Kerry Healey]]}}

{{succession box

| before=[[Jane Swift]]<br><small>(as Acting Governor)</small>

| title=[[Governor of Massachusetts]]

| years=[[January 2]], [[2003]]–[[January 4]], [[2007]]

| after=[[Deval Patrick]]}}

{{end box}}

{{MAGovernors}}

{{2008 U.S. presidential election}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Romney, Mitt}}

[[Category:1947 births]]

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