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Michael Dale HuckabeeAmerican conservative politician
Date of Birth: 24.08.1955
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Mike Huckabee
Early LifeMike Huckabee, born Michael Dale Huckabee, was born on August 24, 1955, in Hope, Arkansas, USA. He graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas in 1976, and then spent a year at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Afterward, he worked as an assistant to television preacher James Robison in Dallas, Texas.
Political Career
In 1980, Huckabee participated in Ronald Reagan's presidential campaign. In 1974, he was ordained as a pastor in the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1980, he became the head of a church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and later in 1986, he moved to another church in Texarkana, Arkansas. In both cities, he created and led local television channels that broadcasted religious and secular programs. From 1989 to 1991, he served as the president of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.
In 1992, Huckabee left his pastoral ministry and unsuccessfully ran for the Senate as a Republican. In 1993, he won the special election for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas and in 1996, after the resignation of Governor Jim Guy Tucker, he took his place. He won the gubernatorial elections in 1998 and 2002.
Governorship
As the head of the predominantly Democratic administration in Arkansas, Huckabee gained the favor of voters with his socially and economically conservative policies. He supported significant funding for healthcare and education, as well as tax increases to improve the state's road system. However, he consistently maintained conservative positions on certain social issues such as opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage. In 2005, Huckabee became the chairman of the National Governors Association.
Presidential Campaign
After completing his second full term as governor in January 2007, Huckabee entered the race for the Republican nomination in the 2008 presidential election. Initially, he lagged behind the frontrunners, but his campaign gained momentum in the fall and by December 2007, he became one of the favorites. His campaign platform included conservative positions on social issues and more liberal positions on economic issues. He supported the Bush administration's foreign policy towards Iraq.
In 2008, Huckabee achieved victories in Republican caucuses and primaries in eight states and by early March, he was in second place behind Senator John McCain. When McCain won four more primaries on March 4, effectively securing the nomination, Huckabee officially withdrew his candidacy and endorsed his former rival.
Personal Life
Mike Huckabee is married and has three adult children: two sons and a daughter.
