Romney was a candidate for two presidential runs in 2008 and 2012
While running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, Mitt Romney withdrew in support of Senator John McCain. He was successful in securing the Republican nomination in 2012, but Barack Obama, the Democratic Party's nominee, ultimately won the election. An intriguing fact about Mitt Romney is that he would have become the first Mormon president if he had prevailed. He had the option to run again in 2016, but he decided against it. After the 2008 presidential election, Romney developed a plan for the 2012 race and set aside PAC funds to pay the wages and consulting costs of his current political crew as well as to create a political infrastructure for what may end up being a $1 billion race in three years. Additionally, he had a vast network of former employees and supporters who were eager for him to run again. He kept delivering speeches and raising cash for Republican candidates. Instead of accepting a lucrative position as the head of a hedge firm, Romney started a year-long self-education program on international and domestic issues.
Romney won the straw poll for the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in 2010, placed first in the CPAC straw poll in 2009, finished second in 2010 and 2011, and took first place in the New Hampshire straw poll in 2011. Early in January 2012, Romney made his 2010 tax return public along with a portion of his 2011 return, which he vowed to make public in full once it was finished. He made the decision not to release any further returns during the presidential campaign, describing the problem as a distraction from more crucial matters.
Despite his preparations, Romney wasn't sure if he should run for office again. He requested the votes of his close relatives for a 2012 campaign in December 2010. Only Romney's wife Ann and one son voted in favor, and unlike before the 2008 campaign, 10 family members opposed another attempt; Romney informed family members that he would not run again. His wife and political supporters convinced him to reconsider in the spring of 2011, stating that they thought Romney could turn the economy around.
