Pete Souza / The White House
 The Democratic ContenderBarack Obama
Obama is the current U.S. President and the Democratic candidate for re-election next fall. He was born in Hawaii. Obama spent time as a community organizer in Chicago, Illinois. He went on to earn a law degree and eventually became a Senator representing Illinois. In 2008, he became the first African-American President of the United States. |
Gerald Herbert / AP Images
The Republican ContenderMitt Romney
Romney was born in Detroit, Michigan. He was elected Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007. His campaign has partly focused on his skills as a successful business leader. Romney has founded and headed several companies, and is credited with saving the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, which had been suffering from money difficulties. |
Find out more about the candidates in the running.
Election Timeline
What are some of the key dates in Election 2012?
Election Vocabulary
Learn key terms used in the electoral process.
