Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum has officially dropped out of the 2012 presidential election. His survival lasted longer than any expected. The Republican presidential candidate was losing to Mitt Romney in his home state of Pennsylvania. “Just as it was when we decided to get into this race….We were touching people, raising issues that people did not want to have raised,” said Santorum.
Upon announcing his campaign suspension, Rick Santorum won 11 states: Colorado, Alabama, Louisiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Dakota, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. The former U.S. Sen received more than 3 million votes. He succeeded in positioning himself as a “true conservative”. Rick Santorum has built his household name. However, he could not gain enough popularity to continue his campaign. He narrowly lost in a number of others. He failed to win key states like Ohio on Super Tuesday.
Let’s have a look back on Rick Santorum’s year through photos.
August 14, 2011: Rick Santorum waited to be introduced at the Blackhawk County Republican annual Lincoln Day Dinner.
September 12, 2011: Rick Santorum was featured in a presidential debate sponsored by CNN and The Tea Party Express.
January 3, 2012: Rick Santorum at the Stoney Creek Inn
February 17, 2012: Rick Santorum answered questions after a press conference which was held to announce the endorsement of his campaign.
March 17, 2012: The former U.S. Senate spoke to supporters during a campaign at Westminster Christian Academy in Town and Country, Missouri.
Santorum served as a United States Senator representing Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2007. He worked as a consultant, news contributor, and private practice lawyer following his departure from the Senate.
April 3, 2012: Rick Santorum spoke at a campaign rally at Four Seasons Sheraton.
Related links:
Rick Santorum and wife Karen Garver Santorum on Iowa Caucus Night (Pictures)
Rick Santorum’s daughters: Bella Made Remarkable Turn, Elizabeth Filled in for Her Dad (Pictures)
Rick Santorum Dropped Out of GOP Race