The following is a timeline of major events leading up to the United States presidential election of 2012. The election was the 57th quadrennial United States presidential election held on November 6, 2012.
2009 October October 12 – Secretary of State and 2008 presidential challenger Hillary Clinton declares she will not challenge President Barack Obama in the 2012 election campaign.
2010
January January 21 – In a 5–4 decision, the Supreme Court rules in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts in candidate elections cannot be limited.
November November 2 – Midterm Elections. The Republican Party made historic gains (63 seats) in the United States House of Representatives and gained 6 seats in the United States Senate. They also gained six gubernatorial seats, as well as historic gains in state legislatures
December The 2010 Census changes the Electoral College vote apportionment for the election for 18 states. December 23 – Jimmy McMillan, perennial candidate from New York changes party affiliation from Democratic to Republican and officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican PartyBenjamin, Elizabeth (2010-12-23). McMillan milks his 15 minutes . Capital Tonight (YNN). Retrieved December 24, 2010.Katz, Celeste (2010-12-23). Now I've heard it all... from Jimmy McMillan: Updated. The Daily Politics (New York Daily News). Retrieved December 24, 2010.Freedlander, David (2010-12-23). Jimmy McMillan says he will challenge Obama in '12. PolitickerNY (New York Observer). Retrieved December 24, 2010.
2011 January January 6 – Stewart Alexander, activist and 2008 Socialist Party USA vice-presidential nominee, officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Peace and Freedom Party. January 12 – Herman Cain, radio host, businessman and former Senate candidate from Georgia, announces the formation of a formal exploratory committee in preparation for a possible run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.CNN: . January 12th, 2011. January 18 – Randall Terry, an anti-abortion activist from New York and former Republican, officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Democratic PartyDwyer, Devin (January 18, 2011) "Activist Vows Graphic Anti-Abortion Ads During Super Bowl", ABC News. Retrieved January 18, 2011. January 22 – The New Hampshire Straw Poll is won by Mitt Romney with 35% of the vote.
February February 8 – Andy Martin, perennial candidate and birther movement activist from Illinois, formally filed papers with the Federal Election Commission to run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party February 12–Conservative Political Action Conference; Ron Paul wins straw poll. February 28 – The Tea Party Patriots straw poll is won by Ron Paul, U.S. Representative of Texas.
March March 3 – Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the House of Representatives, announces the formation of an informal exploratory committee in preparation for a potential run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
Buddy Roemer, former governor of Louisiana, announces the formation of an exploratory committee in preparation for a potential run the presidential nomination of the Republican Party March 16 – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expands on her previous statement to also specify that she will not serve as vice-president or a second term as Secretary of State March 21 – Tim Pawlenty, former governor of Minnesota, announces the formation of an exploratory committee in preparation for a potential run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party;Marr, Kendra (2011-03-21) "Tim Pawlenty forms 2012 presidential exploratory committee", Politico. Retrieved March 21, 2011.Camia, Catalina (2011-03-21) "Pawlenty launches committee to explore White House bid", USA Today. Retrieved March 21, 2011. Fred Karger announces he will run for president. March 23 – Fred Karger officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
April April 4 – President Barack Obama files papers with the Federal Election Commission and announces his candidacy for a second presidential nomination of the Democratic Party, and re-election to a second term as PresidentCondon, Stephanie (April 4, 2011) "Obama launches 2012 campaign with web video", CBS News. Retrieved April 4, 2011. April 11 – Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, announces the formation of a formal exploratory committee in preparation of a potential run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party; The St. Anselm College Republican Straw Poll in Goffstown, New Hampshire is won by Fred Karger with 25% of the vote, followed closely by Romney with 23% April 13 – Rick Santorum, former senator from Pennsylvania, announces the formation of a formal exploratory committee in preparation of a potential run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party April 18 – Roy Moore, Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, announces the formation of a formal exploratory committee in preparation for a potential run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party April 21 – Gary Johnson, former governor of New Mexico, officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party April 26 – Ron Paul announced the formation of a formal exploratory committee in preparation for a run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party
May May 3 – Jon Huntsman, former U.S. Ambassador to China, filed papers to create a federal political action committee May 5 – The first Republican debate takes place in South Carolina with Cain, Johnson, Pawlenty, Paul, and Santorum participating May 11 – Newt Gingrich officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party May 13 – Ron Paul officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party May 14 – Former Arkansas governor and 2008 candidate Mike Huckabee announces he will not run for president in 2012 May 16 – Businessman Donald Trump announces he will not run for president in 2012 May 21 – Herman Cain officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party May 22 – Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels announces he will not run for president in 2012. May 23 – Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican PartyGrier, Peter (May 23, 2011) "Tim Pawlenty enters 2012 race: how he might win", Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved May 23, 2011
June June 2 – Mitt Romney officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party"Romney opens presidential bid challenging Obama" , Seattle Times. June 2, 2011"Romney Announces 2012 Presidential Bid", NPR. June 2, 2011 June 6 – Rick Santorum officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party June 13 – CNN and the New Hampshire Union Leader hosts a Republican debate in Goffstown, New Hampshire"Top GOP candidates to spar in June 13 N.H. debate", The Boston Globe. June 1, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2011."Saint Anselm to host CNN Republican debate" , St. Anselm College. May 3, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2011. June 14 – Michele Bachmann, U.S. Representative of Minnesota, announces during the debate that she has filed papers with the Federal Election Commission for a run for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party June 18 – Results of the Southern Republican Leadership Conference straw poll: Ron Paul 612; Jon Huntsman 382; Michele Bachmann 191; Herman Cain 104; Mitt Romney 74; Newt Gingrich 69; Sarah Palin 41; Rick Santorum 30; Tim Pawlenty 18; Gary Johnson 10; Buddy Roemer 9; Thad McCotter 2 June 21 – Jon Huntsman officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party June 22 – Retired engineer and perennial candidate Jack Fellure wins the presidential nomination of the Prohibition Party at the Party's national convention in Cullman, Alabama June 27 – Michele Bachmann officially announces her candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party
July July 1 – Thaddeus McCotter, U.S. Representative of Michigan, announces he has filed papers with the Federal Election Commission to campaign for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party July 2 – Thaddeus McCotter officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party. July 21 – Buddy Roemer officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party
August August 12 – Republican candidates debate is held in Iowa. Bachmann, Cain, Gingrich, Huntsman, Paul, Pawlenty, Romney, and Santorum are the participants August 13 – Michele Bachmann wins the Ames straw poll in Iowa. August 13 – Texas Governor Rick Perry officially announces his candidacy for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party. August 14 – Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty announces his withdrawal from the race for the Republican presidential nomination
September September 6 – John Bolton, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, announces that he will not run for president in 2012 September 7 – Republican candidates debate is held in Simi Valley, California. Bachmann, Cain, Gingrich, Huntsman, Perry, Paul, Romney, and Santorum are the participants September 12 – Republican candidates debate is held in Tampa, Florida. Bachmann, Cain, Gingrich, Huntsman, Perry, Paul, Romney, and Santorum are the participants September 14 -Arizona Governor Jan Brewer issues an official proclamation that the Arizona primary shall be held on February 28 September 19 -Ralph Nader and others announce a coalition to find a primary challenger for Obama. September 22 – U.S. Representative Thaddeus McCotter announces his withdrawal from the race for the Republican presidential nomination September 22 – Republican candidates debate is held in Orlando, Florida. Sponsors: Fox News, Google and Florida Republican Party. Participants: Bachmann, Cain, Gingrich, Huntsman, Johnson, Perry, Paul, Romney, and Santorum September 26 – Herman Cain wins Florida 5 straw poll.
October October 4—Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey, responding to mounting speculation that he would make a late entry in the Republican presidential nomination race, announces he will not run for president in 2012 October 5—Sarah Palin, former Governor of Alaska and 2008 Republican Party nominee for vice president, announces that she will not run for president in 2012 October 11— Rudy Giuliani, former Mayor of New York City and 2008 candidate, announces that he will not run for president in 2012 October 11— Republican candidates debate on Bloomberg Television at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. Sponsored by Bloomberg, The Washington Post and WBIN-TV. October 12— Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Gary Johnson, and Rick Santorum, all address the New Hampshire House of Representatives October 14–16 – Socialist Party USA convention in Los Angeles, CA selects Stewart Alexander as their presidential candidate and Alejandro Mendoza as their vice-presidential candidate October 18— Republican candidates debate on CNN in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sponsored by CNN and the Western Republican Leadership Conference.
November November 5— Herman Cain wins Sioux Falls Straw Poll November 9— Republican candidates debate on CNBC at Oakland University in Rochester, MI. Sponsored by CNBC and the Michigan Republican Party November 22- Republican candidates debate on CNN in Washington, D.C.
December December 3— Herman Cain announces the suspension of his campaign for the Republican Party presidential nomination December 3 – Green Party presidential candidates debate in Los Angeles, California December 7— Newt Gingrich wins Delaware state committee straw poll