132-414: [REDACTED] [REDACTED] The 2012 presidential campaign of Mitt Romney officially began on June 2, 2011, when former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney formally announced his candidacy for the Republican Party nomination for President of the United States , at an event in Stratham, New Hampshire . Having previously run in the 2008 Republican primaries , this was Romney's second campaign for
264-721: A complete listing. The front doors of the State House are only opened when a governor leaves office, a head of state or the president of the United States comes to visit the State House, or for the return of flags from Massachusetts regiments at the end of wars. The tradition of the ceremonial door originated when departing governor Benjamin Butler kicked open the front door and walked out by himself in 1884. Incoming governors usually choose at least one past governor's portrait to hang in their office. Immediately before being sworn into office,
396-669: A cookbook that made the New York Times Best Seller list . Most of the couple's time was spent seeing their grandchildren, who by 2018 numbered twenty-three (and then subsequently rose to twenty-four by 2018) (with their first great-grandchild arriving in 2021). They purchased a house in the Deer Valley area of Park City, Utah , in a return to that state, followed by a property capable of equestrian use in Holladay, Utah , where they plan to tear down an existing house and build
528-520: A few days later placed Romney in first place. At least 200,000 Floridians voted via absentee ballots or early voting, a factor thought to favor Romney who aggressively campaigned in Florida in early January. Romney participated in both of the four-man debates that were held on Monday, January 23 and Thursday, January 26. Romney released tax returns for 2010 and estimates for 2011. He showed income over that period of $ 42.5 million. His effective tax rate for 2010
660-526: A first step for a potential run for a Republican presidential campaign, saying, "It is time that we put America back on a course of greatness, with a growing economy, good jobs and fiscal discipline in Washington." Romney formally announced his candidacy for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination at an outdoor gathering in Stratham, New Hampshire , on June 2, 2011. In his announcement speech, he pledged to make
792-514: A harsh public reaction. Boston University political science professor later said, "She definitely hurt him in that race." Asked following her husband's loss if she would be involved in future campaigns, Ann said, "Never. You couldn't pay me to do this again." She later termed the experience "a real education". In 1997, Ann Romney began experiencing severe numbness, fatigue, and other symptoms, and in November 1998, just before Thanksgiving, she
924-461: A large family so young. She also felt snubbed by her peers, at a time when the feminist movement was blooming and educated women were establishing careers. She later said, "My parents were questioning my choices, my peers were. But [...] I was pretty resolute, pretty confident in what I was doing." She taught early morning seminary to them and other children while her husband worked, first in business, then in politics. She wanted to go on for
1056-679: A lucrative job as head of a hedge fund, and instead began a yearlong self-education on foreign and domestic issues. Romney finished first in the CPAC straw poll in 2009 and second in 2010 and 2011, won the Southern Republican Leadership Conference straw poll in 2010, and won the New Hampshire Straw Poll in 2011. Romney released his 2010 tax return in early January 2012, along with a partial 2011 return which he promised to release in whole upon its completion. During
1188-459: A master's degree, perhaps in art history , but first taking care of her children, and later her health issues, forestalled that. She was active in the local PTA and with the League of Women Voters . With a friend, she held local cooking classes for a brief period. Naturally athletic, she began playing tennis and became one of the best players around the local country clubs. Ann Romney ran for
1320-592: A new one. The Romneys also gained long-sought permission to replace their La Jolla home with a much bigger one. With the new acquisitions the couple briefly had five homes, located near each of their five sons and respective families. They then sold the condominium in Belmont and decided to make their main residence in Utah, including switching voter registration. In 2014, the Ann Romney Center for Neurological Diseases
1452-526: A nightly basis. She was seen as superficial and too deferential to him and some columnists labelled her a " Stepford wife ". Late in that campaign, she gave a long interview to The Boston Globe . Her statement in it that she and her husband had never had a serious argument during their married years came in for ridicule, and her portrayal of the couple's student years as financially impoverished, while they lived off of sales of George Romney's stock and loans, made her seem privileged and naïve and brought
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#17329062952131584-506: A private citizen. Benjamin Butler started the tradition in 1884. Some walks have been modified with some past governors having their wives, friends, or staff accompany them. A 19-gun salute is offered during the walk, and frequently the steps are lined by the outgoing governor's friends and supporters. In January 1991, outgoing lieutenant governor Evelyn Murphy , the first woman elected to statewide office in Massachusetts, walked down
1716-661: A proposal to establish the Shirley–Eustis House in Roxbury , built by royal Governor William Shirley , as the official residence. At one time, Governor John A. Volpe accepted the donation of the Endicott Estate in Dedham from the heirs of Henry Bradford Endicott . He intended to renovate the 19th-century mansion into a splendid governor's residence. After Volpe resigned to become United States Secretary of Transportation in
1848-670: A royally appointed governor who resided in Boston and served at the King's pleasure. Though there existed a council which served as a quasi-legislature, however the logistics of calling the council to meet were so arduous that the Dominion was essentially governed by the Crown through the royal governor. The reason for the creation of such a post was there existed tremendous hostility between the Kingdom of England and
1980-538: A semester and half's worth of credits via taking night courses at Harvard University Extension School . Ann Romney received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in French language from BYU in 1975. A stay-at-home mother , Romney raised the family's five sons: Taggart (known as "Tagg", born in 1970), Matthew ("Matt", 1971), Joshua ("Josh", 1975), Benjamin ("Ben", 1978), and Craig (1981). She faced criticism from her parents over her decision to marry and start
2112-548: A single unit in 1686, but collapsed in 1689. In 1692 the Province of Massachusetts Bay was established, merging Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay, which then included the territory of present-day Maine . Colonial governors of Plymouth and the Massachusetts Bay Colony were elected annually by a limited subset of the male population (known as freemen ), while Dominion officials and those of the 1692 province were appointed by
2244-502: A stay-at-home mother, she had "never worked a day in her life". In response, Ann Romney issued her first tweet , saying "I made a choice to stay home and raise five boys. Believe me, it was hard work." Rosen apologized the following day. Like all presidential candidates' wives, her fashion choices came under scrutiny, with some critics praising her for a contemporary look that avoided standard campaign appearance clichés, while others said she lacked consistency and did not seem to be using
2376-666: A stint as acting governor, but was elected governor several years later. Prior to 1918 constitutional reforms, both the governor's office and that of lieutenant governor were vacant on one occasion, when the state was governed by the Governor's Council . The colonial history of Massachusetts begins with the founding first of the Plymouth Colony in 1620, and then the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1628. The Dominion of New England combined these and other New England colonies into
2508-513: A stretch in polls. Her emphasis on their 42 years of marriage and his steadfastness following the onset of her disease offered an implicit but clear contrast with Gingrich's own personal history. She had long been known within the family as the "Mitt-stabilizer", due to the calming effect she had on her husband, and continued to perform that role during the up-and-down campaign. In particular, she began appearing with him more often during February 2012 as he dueled with Rick Santorum during
2640-501: A week as a volunteer in the academic affairs office. While at BYU, she dated future business academic Kim S. Cameron . She sent Mitt a letter mentioning being courted by another student who she said reminded her of Mitt; this alarmed Mitt as missionaries often received "Dear John" letters from girlfriends while away. Mitt sent letters back imploring her to wait for him. Immediately after Romney's return from France in December 1968,
2772-550: A year and then was away starting a 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 -year missionary stint in France. During 1966, she converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , without him having made any request to her that she do so. In the conversion process she accepted the guidance of Mitt's father George Romney , the Governor of Michigan . George included her in Romney family events while Mitt
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#17329062952132904-625: Is 'winner-take-all' and the Michigan Republican delegate results are allocated proportionately among the candidates by voting district. Romney won the Michigan primary narrowly, and won the Arizona primary by a wide margin. The state of Washington held their caucuses on Saturday, March 3, with Mitt Romney gaining momentum going into 'Super Tuesday'. Later, Washington held their state GOP convention June 2, 2012 giving Romney at least 34 delegates for
3036-567: Is a member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council , a popularly elected council with eight members who provide advice and consent on certain legal matters and appointments. Beginning with the Massachusetts Bay Company in 1629, the role of the governor has changed throughout its history in terms of powers and selection. The modern form of the position was created in the 1780 Constitution of Massachusetts , which called for
3168-597: Is a partner in, were valued at more than $ 250,000. The Romneys helped fund Ebeling's aspirations for equestrian competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics , and Ann was present in Gladstone, New Jersey , in June 2012 when Ebeling, riding on the horse Rafalca (co-owned by him and Ann) won a spot on the U.S. dressage team. At the London games in August 2012, she watched the pair place 28th in
3300-453: Is an avid equestrian , crediting her renewed involvement in it while in Park City, Utah (where the couple had built a vacation home and where they lived when he was in charge of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games ), for much of her recovery after her multiple sclerosis diagnosis and for her continued ability to deal with the disease. She has said that riding "saved my life", explaining that, "I
3432-458: Is an elected position. The term of office is four years, with no term limit . Elections for governor are held on a four-year basis concurrently with elections for the offices of lieutenant governor , attorney general , secretary of the commonwealth , state treasurer , and state auditor . The role of governor has existed in Massachusetts since the Royal Charter of 1628. The original role
3564-577: Is little or no basis for the assertions by an Obama campaign staffer of criminal charges or civil liability with respect to the SEC filings. Romney's campaign cried foul and Romney personally demanded an apology which was refused by the Obama campaign. Governor of Massachusetts The governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the chief executive officer of the government of Massachusetts . The governor
3696-400: Is referred to as "the lieutenant-governor, acting governor" in official documents. Despite this terminology, the Massachusetts courts have found that the full authority of the office of the governor devolves to the lieutenant governor upon vacancy in the office of governor, and that there is no circumstance short of death, resignation, or impeachment that would relieve the acting governor from
3828-485: Is the head of the state cabinet and the commander-in-chief of the commonwealth's military forces . Massachusetts has a republican system of government that is akin to a presidential system . The governor acts as the head of government while having a distinct role from that of the legislative branch . The governor has far-reaching political obligations, including ceremonial and political duties. The governor also signs bills into law and has veto power . The governor
3960-448: Is the chief executive of the commonwealth, and is supported by a number of subordinate officers. He, like most other state officers, senators, and representatives, was originally elected annually. In 1918 this was changed to a two-year term, and since 1966 the office of governor has carried a four-year term. The governor of Massachusetts does not receive a mansion or other official residence and resides in their own private residence. However,
4092-560: The 2012 Florida primary with 46% of the vote. The Nevada Republican caucuses were held on Saturday, February 4. Less than 33,000 Republicans took part in the Nevada caucuses, which proportionally awards 28 Republican delegates. Romney won 50% of the caucus-goers, followed by Gingrich at 21%, Paul at 19%, and Santorum at 10%. Romney won 14 delegates, whereas Gingrich, Paul, and Santorum were awarded 6, 5, and 3 delegates respectively. Rival candidate Rick Santorum surprised observers by winning all
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4224-432: The 2012 presidential campaign and saved PAC money to underwrite salaries and consulting fees for his existing political staff and to build up a political infrastructure for what might become a $ 1 billion campaign three years hence. He also had a nationwide network of former staff and supporters eager for him to run again. He continued to give speeches and raise campaign funds on behalf of fellow Republicans. Romney declined
4356-680: The Glorious Revolution and the Boston Revolt the Dominion was abolished in 1689. With the creation of the Massachusetts Charter in 1691, the role of civilian governor was restored in Massachusetts Bay. Now the Province of Massachusetts Bay , the colony then encompassed the territory of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the Plymouth Colony , and areas of what is now the state of Maine . The governor however would not be chosen by
4488-468: The National Institute of Health to fund. "It's like: [mimicking the media] 'We don't like you; how come?' It's like, really ? ... The whole thing, with the attacks from everything, you develop – a bubble. From that. A protective bubble. Which you have to do. You have to. Whatever that bubble then projects to somebody is really not what's inside the bubble." —Ann Romney describing life in
4620-608: The Nixon administration , the plan was aborted by his successor in consideration of budgetary constraints and because the location was considered too far from the seat of power, the State House in Boston. Prior to their respective demolitions in 1922 and 1863, the Province House and the Hancock Manor were also proposed as official residences. Since the governor has no official residence,
4752-686: The President of the Senate before a joint session of the House and Senate. Upon completion of their term, the departing governor takes a "lone walk" down the Grand Staircase, through the House of Flags, into Doric Hall, out the central doors, and down the steps of the Massachusetts State House . The governor then crosses the street into Boston Common , thereby symbolically rejoining the commonwealth as
4884-714: The Republican National Convention chose Mitt Romney as their presidential nominee against President Barack Obama . This formal nomination set up a two-month final race to the elections on November 6. The general election campaign began in earnest on Labor Day , September 3, 2012. Romney's record at Bain Capital and Bain's investments were a prominent issue, with Romney arguing his tenure at Bain demonstrated management and leadership skills that created thousands of jobs. Political opponents have argued that under Romney, some investments at Bain increased investor profits at
5016-578: The Republican presidential primaries . Regarding the couple's net worth, she alluded to her health problems and said, "Look, I don't even consider myself wealthy, which is an interesting thing, it can be here today and gone tomorrow. And how I measure riches is by the friends I have and the loved ones that I have and the people that I care about in my life." In April 2012, Ann Romney was spotlighted when Democratic commentator Hilary Rosen declared Romney to be unfit to address women's economic issues because as
5148-568: The United States Dressage Federation . She also sometimes competes in professional dressage events and has broken the 60% level at Grand Prix. Romney works with California trainer Jan Ebeling , who schools her and her horses in dressage and works with her importing new stock from Europe. The pair qualified for the Pan-Am games in 2004. By 2011, the horses she owned and kept at Ebeling's Moorpark, California , stables, which she
5280-700: The United Way of Massachusetts Bay soon after that, and by 2002 was serving as one of that organization's board members. She was on the Faith in Action Committee for the United Way, working with local religious establishments to assist at-risk children and helping to found United Way Faith and Action. Earlier, by 1996, she was a member of the Massachusetts Advisory Board of Stand for Children . During
5412-527: The Welsh Congregationalists , he had become strongly opposed to all organized religion , although on her request the family very occasionally attended church, and she nominally identified as an Episcopalian . At times, she helped out at her father's plant. Ann Davies knew of Mitt Romney since elementary school . She went to the private Kingswood School in Bloomfield Hills, which was
Mitt Romney 2012 presidential campaign - Misplaced Pages Continue
5544-456: The 2002 Winter Olympics effort, she co-chaired the Olympic Aid charity, which provides athletic activities and programs for children in war-torn regions. Romney joined in her husband's campaign in the 2002 Massachusetts gubernatorial election from the start, and nominated him at the state party convention. A commercial entitled "Mitt and Ann", highlighting their romance and marriage, began
5676-478: The 250–300 guests were U.S. House Minority Leader Gerald Ford and automotive executives such as Semon Knudsen and Edward Cole , and President Richard Nixon sent congratulations. The following day the couple flew to Utah for a wedding ceremony inside the Salt Lake Temple ; her parents could not attend since they were non-Mormons, but were present at a subsequent wedding breakfast held for them across
5808-661: The British crown. In 1774 General Thomas Gage became the last royally appointed governor of Massachusetts. He was recalled to England after the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775, by which time the Massachusetts Provincial Congress exercised de facto control of Massachusetts territory outside British-occupied Boston . Between 1775 and the establishment of the Massachusetts State Constitution in 1780
5940-605: The Iowa results," said Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul . The weekend ahead of the New Hampshire primary on January 10, Romney participated in two debates, which Reuters said Romney "weathered well." Newt Gingrich attacked Romney with allegations that he had destroyed companies and fired workers while working for Bain Capital . Romney won the New Hampshire primary with 39.3 percent of the vote. The South Carolina Republican primary
6072-404: The November 6, 2012, general election, Mitt Romney lost as President Obama was re-elected. The couple, along with the senior campaign staff, had thought they were going to win up until polls closed that evening and returns started coming in. Ann cried as her husband concluded their chances were over, then appeared stricken as she went on stage with him following his concession speech. Following
6204-592: The Republican National Convention. The largest number of states in the Republican Primary race voted on March 6, 2012, with Romney winning six states (Alaska, Idaho, Massachusetts, Ohio, Vermont, Virginia); Santorum winning three states (North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee); and Gingrich winning Georgia. After Super Tuesday, Santorum won in Kansas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, while Ron Paul won
6336-625: The Republican Party declaring Romney the presumptive nominee. While Ron Paul never officially dropped out, he stopped campaigning on May 14. By April 2012, in the absence of viable alternatives to Romney for the Republican nomination, polls showed Romney gaining on Obama's earlier double-digit lead in a hypothetical head-to-head general election contest. However, polls (both nationally and in battleground states like Florida and Ohio) also showed that for most of those who said they would vote for Romney,
6468-643: The Romneys had not, yet still were criticized for not relating to common voters because of theirs. Though highly critical of her husband after he spoke negatively of the Trump candidacy in March 2016, Trump praised Ann Romney as "a lovely woman". Ann Romney earned at least one vote for president when her husband cast a write-in vote for her in November 2016, later saying he voted for "a person who I admire deeply, who I think would be an excellent president". Two years later Romney hit
6600-556: The Romneys' grandchildren and the La Jolla location was near where she rides horses and was well-situated for her multiple sclerosis therapies and for recovering from her cancer treatments. They also bought a smaller condominium in Belmont during 2010. Regarding another possible run for office by her husband in the 2012 presidential election , Romney said in March 2010 that this time the process would hold no surprises, and that if he decided in favor of doing it, "I'm up to saying, go storm
6732-625: The U.S. economy the main focus of his campaign, saying "My number one job will be to see that America is number one in job creation." On May 16, 2011, the Romney campaign announced that it had raised $ 10.25 million "in connection with today's call day fundraiser in Nevada ." This was hailed in the media as "an impressive one day total." Thereafter, however, the Los Angeles Times reported that "the amount actually represented pledges gathered earlier and tallied that day, not just funds actually taken in by
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#17329062952136864-424: The United States , she would seek to work with at-risk youths and on behalf of those with multiple sclerosis. She expressed admiration for three former first ladies, Mamie Eisenhower , Nancy Reagan , and Barbara Bush . By December 2011, Romney assumed an even more prominent role in the campaign, as she tried to offer a more rounded and compelling portrait of her husband while he fell behind Newt Gingrich for
6996-691: The Virgin Islands Caucus. However, Romney maintained a solid lead with wins in Guam, Hawaii, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, Illinois, Wisconsin, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and the Northern Mariana Islands. As a result, Santorum dropped out on April 10. After Romney won the April 24 Delaware primary, Gingrich dropped out on May 2 in a move that was seen as an end to the nomination contest and resulted in
7128-444: The campaign trail again, this time to support her husband in the 2018 United States Senate election in Utah . It was a run that she encouraged him to make, saying "This is a time when you're needed. You have deep roots in this state. Your family heritage is in this state. And when people are needed you gotta step up." In this case, as in the past, he relied strongly on her advice. During campaign appearances she spoke critically of
7260-546: The campaign's television advertising. She avoided media interviews like the one that plagued her in 1994, but was a force behind the scenes during the eventually successful campaign. In January 2003, following his election, Romney became First Lady of Massachusetts, a position she held through January 2007. In that role, she generally kept a low public profile, with by her husband's initial indications no public role in administration or its policies. In 2006, The Boston Globe characterized her as "largely invisible" within
7392-406: The campaign." Later, it was discovered that Romney had actually raised $ 2.403 million on May 16, about a quarter of the claimed amount. For the entire second quarter, the campaign expected to raise only about $ 20 million, less than the $ 44 million raised in that period in 2007 but still more than any of the other Republican candidates. By the end of June, Romney's campaign raised $ 18.5 million, which
7524-454: The capital campaign for Massachusetts Citizens for Life . By late 2007, she had become an integral part of his campaign, and was doing more trips and appearances on her own, despite the risk that added stress would aggravate her condition. Her political message was often mixed with discussions of her family, her recipes, or managing her condition. Romney's television advertisements in the early primary states prominently featured her and by
7656-553: The castle, sweetie." Although still not liking the political process, which she referred to as "a very difficult game", she urged her husband to run again and was one of the few family members to initially support the notion. Once the campaign began, she stumped for her husband in early primary states and criticized the record and ideological direction of the Obama administration . As part of trying to lighten her husband's image, she sometimes participated in comic setup routines with him. Romney said that if she became First Lady of
7788-426: The close of 2007, she was the most visible of all the Republican candidates' wives in campaigning. Regarding having to witness criticism of her husband, she later acknowledged that she sometimes wanted to "come out of my seat and clock somebody [but] you learn to just take a deep breath." By the time he ended his campaign in February 2008, she had become openly distasteful of the whole process. In late 2008, Romney
7920-431: The colonists of Massachusetts Bay. In an effort to bring the colonies under tighter control the Crown dismantled the old assembly system and created the Viceroy system based on the Spanish model in New Spain . This model of government was greatly disliked by the colonists all throughout British North America but especially in New England where colonists at one time did have some semblance of democratic and local control. With
8052-450: The competition. Ann Romney has been involved in a number of children's charities, including having been a director of the inner city -oriented Best Friends, which seeks to assist inner-city adolescent girls. She advocated a celibacy-based approach to the prevention of teen pregnancy. She worked extensively with the Ten Point Coalition in Boston and with other groups that promoted better safety and opportunities for urban youths. She
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#17329062952138184-553: The conclusion of her time as Massachusetts First Lady, Romney said that the role "doesn't need to change your life at all. I think it's an opportunity for service and an opportunity to see people of all walks of life from across the Commonwealth...It's an enriching part of your life [and one will] treasure it forever." Her health was still a primary factor in family decisions about her husband's career, and Mitt said in 2005 that if her multiple sclerosis flared up, "I wouldn't be involved in politics anymore; that would be over." Ann Romney
8316-446: The different treatments she found beneficial, and the important role her family played. The book became popular among those affected by the disease. During the course of the 2016 election cycle, Romney expressed sympathy toward Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton since she had also experienced claims of not being relatable. She was also puzzled by Republican front-runner Donald Trump 's success despite touting his wealth whereas
8448-525: The election, Ann Romney received an offer to appear on the spring 2013 season of Dancing with the Stars , but although she was a fan of the show, she declined: "I would've loved to have done it, and I am turning 64, and I started thinking about it. I'm not really as flexible as I should be." She still mourned the election loss, perhaps more than her husband did. In October 2013, she published, and made promotional appearances for, The Romney Family Table: Sharing Home-Cooked Recipes & Favorite Traditions ,
8580-441: The election. There are no term limits restricting how long a governor may serve. The longest-serving Massachusetts governor is Michael Dukakis , who served 12 years; Dukakis was in office from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1991. The current governor is Maura Healey , a Democrat who won the 2022 gubernatorial election . Any person seeking to become governor of Massachusetts must meet the following requirements: The governor
8712-425: The electorate, instead the position would remain a royal appointment. In order to ease tensions with royal authorities and the colonists the General Court was reestablished and given significant powers. This created acrimony between the governors and the assembly of the General Court. The governor could veto any decision made by the assembly and had control over the militia , however the General Court had authority of
8844-431: The end of April, Romney was far outstripping Obama in large-value campaign contributions from individual donors: most (62%) of Romney's contributions were at the legal limit of $ 2,500, compared to 16% of Obama's. Obama fared better among small-value donors, with almost half (43%) of his donations at $ 200 or less, compared to only 10% of Romney's. Romney was also supported by the Super PAC called Restore Our Future . As of
8976-759: The end of February 2012, Restore Our Future had raised over $ 43 million. In an article about 2016 Presidential election fundraiser Mary Pat Bonner, 2012 campaign finance chair Zwick was mentioned in regards "fund-raising fees paid by Mr. Romney's [2012] campaign committees to limited liability companies established by Mr. Zwick: about $ 34 million, according to campaign disclosure reports". By April 2012 Romney's financial supporters included Julian Robertson of Tiger Management , Louis Moore Bacon of Moore Capital Management , John Paulson of Paulson & Co. , Steven Allen Schwarzman , of The Blackstone Group and Paul Singer of Elliott Management Corporation . Romney's foreign policy special advisors were drawn largely from
9108-399: The excitement of going to the barn and getting my foot in the stirrup would make me crawl out of bed." As a result, she said, "My desire to ride was, and is, so strong that I kept getting healthier and healthier." She has received recognition in dressage as an adult amateur at the national level, including earning her 2006 Gold Medal and 2005 Silver Medal at the Grand Prix level from
9240-403: The executive for ten days; the council's chair, Thomas Dawes was at no point named governor or acting governor. Article LV of the Constitution, enacted in 1918, created a new line of succession: The governor has a 10-person cabinet, each of whom oversees a portion of the government under direct administration (as opposed to independent executive agencies). See Government of Massachusetts for
9372-410: The expense of middle-class workers who were laid off. Romney took a leave of absence from Bain Capital in February 1999 to manage the Salt Lake City Olympics . Romney remained named on company documents while reorganization of Bain and according to SEC filings, he continued to be the "sole shareholder, sole director, Chief Executive Officer and President" of Bain for 3 additional years. This discrepancy
9504-530: The expression "corner office", rather than "governor's mansion", is commonly used in the press as a metonym for the office of governor. This refers instead to the governor's office on the third floor of the State House. Since 1780, 65 people have been elected governor, six to non-consecutive terms ( John Hancock , Caleb Strong , Marcus Morton , John Davis , John Volpe , and Michael Dukakis ), and seven lieutenant governors have acted as governor without subsequently being elected governor. Thomas Talbot served
9636-557: The first Michigan native to serve as president (as Gerald Ford was born in Nebraska ), the first Mormon president, and the second governor of Massachusetts to do so, after Calvin Coolidge . Ryan would have been the first vice president from Wisconsin . Six years later, in November 2018 , Romney was elected as U.S. Senator from Utah . After the 2008 election, Romney built a strategy for
9768-500: The first Wednesday in the January after the election in 1950, and terms were lengthened to four years in 1966. Citations Sources Ann Romney Ann Lois Romney ( née Davies ; born April 16, 1949) is an American author and philanthropist. She is the wife of businessman and politician, Senator Mitt Romney of Utah . From 2003 to 2007, Romney was First Lady of Massachusetts , while her husband served as governor . She
9900-598: The first spouse to be included in the official Massachusetts State House gubernatorial portrait. For many years the couple's primary residence was a house in Belmont, Massachusetts , but this and the Utah home were sold in 2009. They resided in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire , along Lake Winnipesaukee , and at an oceanfront home in La Jolla, San Diego, California , that they had bought the year before. Both locations were near some of
10032-417: The framers of the state constitution revived it because they found it fitting to dignify the governor with this title. The governor also serves as commander-in-chief of the commonwealth's armed forces. According to the Massachusetts State Constitution : Whenever the chair of the governor shall be vacant, by reason of his death, or absence from the commonwealth, or otherwise, the lieutenant governor, for
10164-421: The full gubernatorial responsibilities. The first use of the succession provision occurred in 1785, five years after the constitution's adoption, when Governor John Hancock resigned the post, leaving Lieutenant Governor Thomas Cushing as acting governor. Most recently, Jane Swift became acting governor upon the resignation of Paul Cellucci . When the constitution was first adopted, the Governor's Council
10296-455: The governor does receive a housing allowance/stipend for $ 65,000. The title "His Excellency" is a holdover from the royally appointed governors of the Province of Massachusetts Bay . The first governor to use the title was Richard Coote, 1st Earl of Bellomont , in 1699; since he was an Earl , it was thought proper to call him "Your Excellency." The title was retained until 1742, when an order from King George II forbade its further use. However,
10428-599: The governor-elect receives four symbols from the departing governor: the ceremonial pewter "Key" for the governor's office door, the Butler Bible, the "Gavel", and a two-volume set of the Massachusetts General Statutes with a personal note from the departing governor to their successor added to the back of the text. The governor-elect is then escorted by the sergeant-at-arms to the House Chamber and sworn in by
10560-565: The governor. The early governors of Massachusetts Bay were staunchly Puritan colonists who wished to form a state that coincided with religious law. With the founding of the Dominion of New England by James II of England , the New England colonies were combined with the Province of New York , Province of West Jersey , and the Province of East Jersey . During this period (1686–1689) Massachusetts had no governor of its own. Instead there existed
10692-561: The national level and competed professionally in Grand Prix as well. In 2014 she opened the Ann Romney Center for Neurological Diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston; it does intersectional research regarding multiple sclerosis and several other brain diseases. Ann and Mitt Romney have five sons, born between 1970 and 1981, twenty-four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Born Ann Lois Davies in Detroit on April 16, 1949, she
10824-525: The pair reconnected and agreed to get married as soon as possible. Ann Davies and Mitt Romney were married in a civil ceremony on March 21, 1969, at her Bloomfield Hills home, with a reception afterward at the Bloomfield Hills Country Club. It was presided over by Edwin B. Jones , a banker and Romney family friend then serving as an LDS Church Regional representative of the Twelve . Among
10956-700: The passage of the Stamp Act Governor Thomas Hutchinson had his home broken into and ransacked. The early stages of the American Revolution saw political turmoil in Massachusetts Bay. With the passage of the Intolerable Acts the then Royal Governor Thomas Gage dissolved the General Court and began to govern the province by decree. In 1774 the Massachusetts Provincial Congress was formed as an alternative revolutionary government to
11088-421: The political climate in the United States, saying that civility and kindness had been lost, and she noted that she never read comments to her posts on social media due to the anonymous negativity found there. His campaign was successful and he took office in January 2019. Living in Washington, however, had little appeal to her, and she rarely joined her husband at the townhouse they bought there. In April 2019,
11220-439: The political world, 2015 During 2014, speculation about Mitt Romney staging a third presidential run increased. Ann Romney's reaction was to say it would not happen: "Done. Completely. Not only Mitt and I are done, but the kids are done. Done. Done. Done." However, like her husband, she left open the slight possibility that things could change in this regard, and by January 2015 was reported by Romney advisors to be supporting
11352-415: The position of town meeting representative in Belmont in 1977. She studied local issues and engaged in door-to-door campaigning, and won the election. It was partly due to her urging that her husband entered politics and ran in the 1994 U.S. Senate election in Massachusetts against incumbent Democrat Ted Kennedy . The race constituted her first prolonged public exposure as she campaigned for him on
11484-516: The position of Global Ambassador there, and she gives inspirational talks based on overcoming the challenges of living with a disease. She has said of this role, "I know what it's like to be desperate. I know what it's like to have no hope. And I don't want people to feel that way anymore. I am going to give people hope." Overall, she sees the center as helping to connect researchers working in different areas and to provide monies for experimental approaches and treatments that are too new or unproven for
11616-479: The position of a "supreme executive magistrate". Governors of Massachusetts are elected every four years during state elections that are held on the first Tuesday of November after November 1. As of November 2022, the most recent Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held in 2022 . Following each gubernatorial election, the elected governor is inaugurated on the Thursday after the first Wednesday in January following
11748-569: The possibility as he seriously considered a third presidential bid. In any event, he soon decided against making a run. In March 2015, her book Whatever You Choose to Be: 8 Tips for the Road Ahead was published, based upon a commencement address she gave the year before at Southern Utah University . This was followed in September 2015 when her memoir In This Together: My Story was published. In it she discussed her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis,
11880-745: The presidency. He filed his organization with the Federal Elections Commission as an exploratory committee and announced the organization in a video message on April 11, 2011. He became the party's presumptive nominee with his victory in the Texas primary on May 29, 2012. On August 11, 2012, in Norfolk, Virginia , Romney announced that Paul Ryan , the long-time U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 1st congressional district , would be his running mate for vice president . (Later, in October 2015 , Ryan
12012-517: The presidential campaign, he decided not to disclose additional returns citing the matter as a distraction from more important issues. Despite his preparations, Romney remained unconvinced on whether to run again. In December 2010 he asked his immediate family to vote on a 2012 campaign. Unlike the unanimous support before the 2008 campaign, this time 10 family members voted against another try; only Romney's wife Ann and one son voted in favor, and Romney told family members that he would not run again. In
12144-585: The previous Republican administration. Of the 24 foreign policy advisors, 17 served in the Bush-Cheney administration. Economic policy: Justice advisory: Labor policy: Veterans policy: Trade policy: Law enforcement: Urban policy: Health care policy: Mitt Romney was one of many competing for the role of Republican nominee for president. Romney won the 2012 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Straw Poll in February with 38% of
12276-520: The primary motivator was hostility toward Obama rather than affirmative support for Romney. On April 25, 2012, the Republican National Committee (RNC) declared Romney the party's presumptive nominee . On May 29, Texas held their 2012 Republican primaries, which Romney won. The subsequent accumulation of the state's 155 delegates was enough to secure Romney the party's nomination assuming at least 34 unpledged delegates voted for him, which
12408-550: The progression of the disease. She then dropped them and other medications due to counterproductive side effects . She has partaken of reflexology , acupuncture , and craniosacral therapy , and has said, "There is huge merit in both Eastern and Western medicine, and I've taken a little bit from both." She is a board member for the New England chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society . Romney
12540-654: The royal government in Boston. With Massachusetts Bay declaring its independence in May 1776 the role of governor was vacant for four years. The executive role during this time was filled by the Governor's Council, the Committee of Safety, and the president of the Congress when in session. With the adoption of the Constitution of Massachusetts in 1780 the role of an elected civilian governor
12672-505: The services of a stylist. On August 28, Romney gave a prime-time speech before the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida , in which she stressed her own background and her family experiences, in an appeal to women voters. By early October, she and son Tagg had convinced the campaign to spend more time emphasizing her husband's personal nature and character, rather than simply present issue and record arguments against Obama. In
12804-426: The sister school to the all-boys Cranbrook School that he attended. The two were re-introduced and began dating in March 1965; they informally agreed to marriage after his senior prom in June 1965. He talked of the marriage taking place in the near future, but she insisted that he go on Mormon missionary duty on the grounds that he would regret it later if he did not. Mitt attended Stanford University for
12936-477: The spring of 2011, his wife and political allies persuaded him to change his mind, telling Romney that they believed he could fix the economy. Before a slower start to the presidential campaign by all contenders than four years previous, on April 11, 2011, Mitt Romney announced by means of a video recorded that day at an athletics field at the University of New Hampshire that he had formed an exploratory committee as
13068-452: The stairs before Governor Michael Dukakis . In a break from tradition, the January 2007 inauguration of Governor Deval Patrick took place the day after outgoing governor Mitt Romney took the lone walk down the front steps. Despite several proposals for establishing an official residence for the governor of Massachusetts, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not have a governor's mansion. In 1955, Governor Foster Furcolo turned down
13200-457: The state (although by then she was becoming more visible outside the state, due to national appearances in connection with her husband's possible presidential campaign). Romney was president of the Doric Docents, the volunteer tour directors who inform visitors to the State House about its architecture and history and the Massachusetts legislative process. While Massachusetts First Lady, she
13332-411: The state was governed by the provincial congress and an executive council. The constitution of Massachusetts created the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, to be elected annually. Terms were lengthened to two years in 1918, to last until their successor was inaugurated, which would be at least the first Wednesday in the January after their election. This was changed to the Thursday following
13464-516: The street. (Both her brothers converted to Mormonism within a year of her doing so; her mother converted much later. ) The couple's first son, Tagg Romney , was born in 1970 while both were undergraduates at BYU (Mitt had transferred from Stanford to BYU at Ann's request). After Mitt graduated, the couple moved to Belmont, Massachusetts , so that he could attend Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School . Slowed down by parenthood, she later finished her undergraduate work by gaining
13596-550: The three of the states holding votes on February 7. Romney lost to the former Pennsylvania senator by 5 points in the Colorado caucus , finished third with 17% behind Ron Paul and Santorum in the Minnesota caucuses , and, in a contest that did not actually award any delegates and did not include Newt Gingrich on the ballot, lost the Missouri primary to Santorum by a 30-point margin. Romney
13728-517: The time being, shall, during such vacancy, perform all the duties incumbent upon the governor, and shall have and exercise all the powers and authorities, which by this constitution the governor is vested with, when personally present. The Constitution does not use the term "acting governor", but the practice in Massachusetts has been that the lieutenant governor retains the position and title as "lieutenant governor" and becomes acting governor, not governor. The lieutenant governor, when acting as governor,
13860-475: The treasury and provincial finances. This meant that in the event the governor did not agree with or consent with the rulings and laws of the General Court then the assembly would threaten to withhold any pay for the governor and other Royal Officers. From 1765 on the unraveling of the Province into a full political crisis only increased the tensions between the governor and the people of Massachusetts Bay. Following
13992-553: The vote. The poll is traditionally considered an important barometer of the sentiments of conservative activists. The New York Times wrote that the Romney campaign was busing in students from along the East Coast to support Romney. Rick Santorum finished second in the straw poll with 31%. Politico reported that the Romney campaign bought CPAC registration tickets to the conference, while the Santorum campaign did not. Initially, Romney
14124-445: Was $ 14 million more than U.S. representative Ron Paul , who came 2nd in funding amongst Republican candidates. By the end of March 2012, Romney had raised $ 88 million, far more than his nearest Republican rival, Ron Paul ($ 36 million). President Barack Obama had raised $ 197 million, more than twice as much as Romney, and the Obama campaign had nearly 10 times as much cash on hand (over $ 100 million compared to Romney's $ 10 million). By
14256-462: Was 13.9 percent, and he estimated that it would be 15.4 percent for 2011. About $ 13 million of his income was in " carried interest " and hence eligible for favorable tax treatment under a provision that Democrats have sought to end. It was also disclosed that Romney had investments in the Cayman Islands and previously had a Swiss bank account until it was closed in 2010. On January 31 Romney won
14388-415: Was active in teenage pregnancy prevention efforts. In 2004, she said she was in favor of stem cell research as long as it was done "morally and ethically". One of her rare public appearances at the Massachusetts State House came in 2004 when she lobbied the legislature to raise awareness about multiple sclerosis. In 2005, the governor appointed his wife as head of a new special office whose purpose
14520-413: Was an active participant in her husband's 2008 presidential campaign . One past issue that arose involving her was disclosure of her donation of $ 150 to Planned Parenthood in 1994, when her husband was a pro-choice candidate for the U.S. Senate. She said she did not remember the contribution; her own public stance on abortion has evolved in a similar manner to his, and by this time she was co-chair of
14652-513: Was an honorary board member of Families First, a parent education program in Cambridge, Massachusetts . She was a volunteer instructor of middle-school girls at the multicultural Mother Caroline Academy in Boston. She has said her interest in helping underprivileged children dates back to when she and her five boys saw a vehicle carrying a group of boys to a Massachusetts Department of Youth Services detention center. She began volunteering for
14784-580: Was away; she appreciated his treating her as an equal and picked him to baptize her. Ann graduated from high school in 1967 and began attending Brigham Young University (BYU). She spent the second semester of her freshman year abroad, at the University of Grenoble in France, and was there during the 1968 Winter Olympics and met athletes such as skiing star Jean-Claude Killy . The Mormon missionary rules allowed her only two brief visits with Mitt and very rare telephone calls with him. Back at BYU, she involved herself in campus life, spending several days
14916-455: Was charged with acting as governor in the event that both the governorship and lieutenant governorship were vacant. This occurred in 1799 when Governor Increase Sumner died in office on June 7, 1799, leaving Lieutenant Governor Moses Gill as acting governor. Acting Governor Gill never received a lieutenant and died on May 20, 1800, between that year's election and the inauguration of Governor-elect Caleb Strong . The Governor's Council served as
15048-443: Was declared the winner of the 2012 Iowa Republican caucuses , surpassing rival candidate Rick Santorum by eight votes. Upon official vote count, Santorum was found to have obtained thirty-four more votes than Romney and was declared the winner. Former Iowa Republican Chairman Richard Schwarm stated, "I think people realize it's a tie." The day final results were announced, "Governor Romney called Senator Santorum to congratulate him on
15180-491: Was diagnosed with mammary ductal carcinoma in situ , a non-invasive type of breast cancer , and had the lump removed via lumpectomy ; she subsequently underwent radiation therapy . Her prognosis from this condition was excellent, and she later reflected that "I was really lucky" to have caught it so early. President-elect Barack Obama was among the well-wishers who called her. She has been cancer-free since. In June 2009, due to her husband's request, Ann Romney became
15312-411: Was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis . Mitt Romney described watching her fail a series of neurological tests as the worst day of his life. He later said: "I couldn't operate without Ann. We're a partnership. We've always been a partnership so her being healthy and our being able to be together is essential." She initially experienced a period of severe difficulty with the disease, and later said: "I
15444-475: Was elected Speaker of the House .) On August 30, 2012, in Tampa, Florida , Romney formally accepted the Republican Party's nomination at the 2012 Republican National Convention . Romney's campaign came to an end on November 6, 2012, upon defeat by incumbent president Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential election . Romney received 60,933,500 votes, or 47.2% of the total votes cast, winning 24 states and 206 electoral votes. Had he won, Romney would have been
15576-563: Was initially declared the narrow winner of the Maine Caucus, but the results were subject to a recount after several counties were not counted. Romney was confirmed to have won following the recount. Michigan and Arizona held their presidential primaries on Tuesday, February 28, and allocated 29 and 30 Republican delegates, respectively. CNN moderated a Republican primary debate in Mesa , Arizona on February 22, 2012. The Arizona Republican primary
15708-578: Was involved in a number of children's charities, including Operation Kids. She was an active participant in her husband's U.S. presidential campaigns in 2008 and again in 2012 , when he was the Republican Party nominee. Romney was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1998 and has credited a mixture of mainstream and alternative treatments with giving her a lifestyle mostly without limitations. In one activity, equestrianism , she has consequently received recognition in dressage as an adult amateur at
15840-408: Was losing most of the function of my right side. And I decided I needed to go back and do what I loved before I couldn't do it anymore." At first she could barely stay on a horse without getting tired, but gradually the muscle control required for riding proved directly beneficial, and psychologically, "Riding exhilarated me; it gave me a joy and a purpose. When I was so fatigued that I couldn't move,
15972-519: Was mainly sponsored by "Winning Our Future", the super PAC that supports Gingrich. During debates in Myrtle Beach and Charleston , Romney came in second place in the primary with 28% of the vote, behind Newt Gingrich with 40% of the vote, but ahead of Rick Santorum (17%) and Ron Paul (13%). Polls taken immediately after the South Carolina primary showed Newt Gingrich in the lead but polls released
16104-483: Was one of a president of the board of a joint-stock company , namely the Massachusetts Bay Company . The governor would be elected by freemen , who were shareholders of the company. These shareholders were mostly colonists themselves who fit certain religious requirements. The governor acted in a vice-regal manner, overseeing the governance and functioning of the colony. Originally they were supposed to reside in London , as
16236-458: Was opened at the Brigham and Women's Hospital (a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School ) in Boston. With a fundraising goal of $ 50 million, the center was created to focus on research into Alzheimer's disease , multiple sclerosis , Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , Parkinson's disease , and brain tumors . The center has some 250 scientists and researchers on its staff. Romney holds
16368-530: Was raised in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan , by parents Edward Roderick Davies and Lois (Pottinger) Davies. She has two brothers. Her father, originally from Caerau near Maesteg , Wales , was a self-made businessman who in 1946 co-founded Jered Industries, a maker of heavy machinery for marine use located in Troy, Michigan . He had also held the part-time position of Mayor of Bloomfield Hills. Raised in
16500-511: Was raised in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan , and attended the private Kingswood School there, where she dated Mitt Romney. She converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in 1966. She attended Brigham Young University (BYU), married Mitt Romney in 1969, and in 1975 received a Bachelor of Arts degree in French. As First Lady of Massachusetts, Romney served as the governor's liaison for federal faith-based initiatives. She
16632-494: Was reported by The Boston Globe in July 2012 and used by Obama and his campaign in its ads that Romney was responsible for the activities of Bain Capital during that period, from 1999 to 2002. According to Bain, Romney played no active role despite his name being on the required filings. FactCheck.org examined the issue and reported that Romney did leave Bain in 1999. A report by Glenn Kessler of The Washington Post reported that there
16764-528: Was restored. John Hancock was elected as the first governor of the independent commonwealth on October 25, 1780. Part the Second, Chapter II, Section I, Article I of the Massachusetts Constitution reads, There shall be a supreme executive magistrate, who shall be styled, The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and whose title shall be – His Excellency. The governor of Massachusetts
16896-422: Was scheduled for Saturday, January 21, 2012. Several polls showed Romney having a slight lead over Gingrich in South Carolina. Gingrich continued to criticize Romney for causing job losses, Rick Perry referred to Romney's role at Bain Capital as ' vulture capitalism ', and Sarah Palin stated that Romney needed to prove that Bain actually created 100,000 jobs as Romney has claimed. The negative advertising campaign
17028-413: Was the case with other colonial company governors, although this protocol was broken when John Winthrop was appointed governor. The governor served as the executive of the colony, originally elected annually, they were joined by a Council of Assistants. This council was a group of magistrates who performed judicial functions, acted as an upper house of the General Court, and provided advice and consent to
17160-516: Was to help the state's faith-based groups gain more federal monies in association with the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives . This came after the state had seen its share of faith-based grants decline over the preceding three years. In this unpaid Governor's Liaison position, Ann Romney was termed a "dynamo" by Jim Towey , director of the White House office. At
17292-501: Was very likely. After wins in California and several smaller states on June 5, Romney exceeded 1144 pledged delegates, giving him absolute certainty of the nomination and making the June 26th Utah Primary, the last contest of the cycle, purely symbolic. In July Romney described an Obama recess appointment as "Chicago-style politics at its worst", introducing the meme into the rhetoric of the 2012 campaign On August 28, 2012, delegates at
17424-442: Was very sick in 1998 when I was diagnosed. I was pretty desperate, pretty frightened and very, very sick. It was tough at the beginning, just to think, this is how I'm going to feel for the rest of my life." Since then, she credits a mixture of mainstream and alternative treatments with giving her a lifestyle mostly without limitations. She initially used corticosteroids , including intravenously, and credited them with helping stop
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