Mike Huckabee

==Political career==

===Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas, campaign 1992===

In Huckabee's first political race in 1992, he lost to incumbent Democratic senator [[Dale Bumpers]], receiving 40 percent of the vote in the general election.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/05/us/the-1992-elections-state-by-state-south.html|title=The 1992 Elections: State by State; South|date=November 5, 1992|newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | first1=James | last1=Bennet | first2=John H. Jr. | last2=Cushman | first3=James | last3=Dao | first4=Jason | last4=DeParle | first5=Clifford | last5=Krauss | first6=Stephen | last6=Labaton | first7=Neil A. | last7=Lewis | first8=David | last8=Margolick | first9=Maria | last9=Newman | first10=Martin | last10=Tolchin | access-date=May 12, 2010}}</ref> In the same election, Arkansas governor [[Bill Clinton]] was elected [[President of the United States|president]], making lieutenant governor [[Jim Guy Tucker]] the new governor when Clinton resigned the governorship. In 1993, Republican state chairman [[Asa Hutchinson]] urged Huckabee to run in the [[special election]] for lieutenant governor held on July 27. Realizing his loss came among key conservative Democrats, Huckabee ran a decidedly conservative campaign. In the subsequent general election, he defeated Nate Coulter, who had been Bumpers's campaign manager the previous year,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2519/is_n5_v14/ai_14558214/pg_2 |title=GOP wins one in Arkansas – Republican Party; Mike Huckabee &#124; Campaigns & Elections &#124; Find Articles at BNET.com<!-- Bot generated title --> |publisher=FindArticles |access-date=October 16, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080107151043/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2519/is_n5_v14/ai_14558214/pg_2 |archive-date = January 7, 2008}}</ref> 51–49 percent.<ref name = "Barone 136–137"/> Huckabee became the second Republican since [[Reconstruction era of the United States|Reconstruction]] to serve as Arkansas lieutenant governor, the first having been [[Maurice Britt]] from 1967 to 1971.

In his autobiography ''From Hope to Higher Ground'', Huckabee recalled the chilly reception that he received from the Arkansas Democratic establishment on his election as lieutenant governor: "The doors to my office were spitefully nailed shut from the inside, office furniture and equipment were removed, and the budget spent down to almost nothing prior to our arriving. After fifty-nine days of public outcry, the doors were finally opened for me to occupy the actual office I had been elected to hold two months earlier."<ref>Huckabee, ''From Hope to Higher Ground'', pp. 6–7</ref>

[[Dick Morris]], who had previously worked for [[Bill Clinton]], advised Huckabee on his races in 1993, 1994, and 1998.<ref name = "RexNelson">{{cite news |last=Nelson|first=Rex|date=July 2, 1995|title=Clinton's Hired Gun Gives Huckabee Hand: Lieutenant Governor Shooting for Senate|newspaper=[[Arkansas Democrat-Gazette]]}}</ref> Huckabee commented that Morris was a "personal friend".<ref name = "RexNelson"/> A newspaper article reported on Huckabee's 1993 win: "Morris said the mistake Republicans always make is that they are too much of a country club set. What we wanted to do was run a [[Progressivism in the United States|progressive]] campaign that would appeal to all Arkansans.{{Single+double}}<ref name = "RexNelson"/>

Morris elaborated, "So we opened the campaign with ads that characterized Mike as more of a moderate whose values were the same as those of other Arkansans."<ref name = "RexNelson"/> Consequently, he abandoned his earlier support for the [[Council of Conservative Citizens]] (CofCC) when in April 1994 following an adverse media campaign against the CofCC, Huckabee withdrew from a speaking engagement before their national convention. He repeated the accusations made by various media and [[civil rights]] organizations such as the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] recalling his past association with the CofCC saying, "I will not participate in any program that has [[racism|racist]] overtones. I've spent a lifetime fighting [against] racism and [[anti-Semitism]]."<ref>{{cite news |last=Duhart |first=Bill |title=Huckabee Won't Appear With Racist |newspaper=[[Philadelphia Tribune]] |date=April 12, 1994 |url=http://www.ferris.edu/isar/institut/CCC/philly.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924012016/http://www.ferris.edu/isar/institut/CCC/philly.htm |archive-date=September 24, 2015 }}</ref>

In 1994, Huckabee was re-elected to a full term as lieutenant governor, beating Democratic candidate Charlie Cole Chaffin with nearly 59 percent of the vote.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=3929|title=1994 AR Lt. Governor Election Results|publisher=OurCampaigns.com<!--note: |date=??? (says "Last Modified: Site Builder July 13, 2005 11:50 pm", but it's for a poll that happened in 1994!)-->}}</ref> While lieutenant governor, Huckabee accepted $71,500 in speaking fees and traveling expenses from a nonprofit group, Action America. [[R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company|R. J. Reynolds]] was the group's largest contributor.<ref name="Isikoff">{{cite news |last=Bailey |first=Holly |author2=Michael Isikoff |title=A Pastor's True Calling: Huckabee's success is due, in part, to right-time, right-place luck. But he says it comes from above. |work=[[Newsweek]] |date=December 8, 2007 |url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/74469/output/print |access-date=December 14, 2007 }}</ref>

In October 1995, [[David Pryor]] announced that he was retiring from the [[United States Senate]]. Huckabee then announced he was running for the open seat and moved ahead in the polls,<ref name = "Barone 136–137"/> but ultimately dropped out of the race to lead the state after incumbent governor [[Jim Guy Tucker]] resigned following his fraud and conspiracy convictions.<ref name="KevinSack" />

During his campaign, Huckabee opposed in December then-governor Tucker's plan for a constitutional convention.<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Neal |first=Rachel |author2=Caldwell, Elizabeth |title=Observers Say Arkansans: Arkansas voters didn't like the idea of allowing 26 appointed legislators to serve as delegates to a proposed constitutional convention |newspaper=[[Arkansas Democrat-Gazette]] |date=December 14, 1995 }}</ref> The plan was defeated by voters, 80–20 percent, in a [[special election]]. In January 1996, Huckabee campaigned in televised ads paid for by the [[Republican National Committee]] and the [[Republican Party of Arkansas|Arkansas Republican Party]] against a highway referendum. Tucker supported the referendum, which included tax increases and a bond program, to improve {{convert|1300|mi|km}} of highway.<ref name="Oneal">{{cite news |last=O'Neal |first=Rachel |title=Road Vote |newspaper=[[Arkansas Democrat-Gazette]] |date=January 11, 1996 }}</ref> On the referendum, the bond question, which included a sales tax increase and a gas tax increase, lost 87–13 percent. A second question, a five-cent increase on [[Diesel fuel|diesel]] tax, lost 86–14 percent.<ref name="Oneal" /><ref name="CharacterBook">{{cite book |last=Huckabee |first=Mike |title=Character Is The Issue |url=https://archive.org/details/characterisissue0000huck |url-access=registration |publisher=[[Broadman & Holman Publishers]] |year=1997 |location=Nashville |pages=[https://archive.org/details/characterisissue0000huck/page/65 65–67]|isbn=9780805463675 }}</ref> Huckabee also opposed Tucker's plan for school consolidation.<ref name="CharacterBook" />

===Governor of Arkansas, 1996–2007===
{{Main|Governorship of Mike Huckabee}}
[[File:Opening Ceremonies of the Big Dam Bridge with Gov. Mike Huckabee.jpg|thumb|Governor Huckabee at Opening Ceremonies of the [[Big Dam Bridge]]]]
In May 1996, Tucker was convicted "on one count of arranging nearly $3 million in fraudulent loans" as part of the [[Whitewater controversy]]. The [[Arkansas Constitution]], like nearly all state constitutions in the United States, does not allow convicted felons to hold office. Tucker thus promised to resign by July 15.<ref name = "Barone 136–137"/> Huckabee then announced he would quit the Senate race and instead fill the unexpired term of Tucker.<ref name="KevinSack">{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9905EEDB1E39F932A05756C0A960958260 |title=Arkansan Quits Senate Race to Lead State |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |last=Sack |first=Kevin |date=May 31, 1996}}</ref> However, Tucker, insisting he had a strong case for appeal,<ref name="Barone 44">{{cite book |title=The Almanac of American Politics |last=Barone |first=Michael |author2=Grant Ujifusa |year=1999 |work=[[National Journal]] |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=0-8129-3194-7 |page=[https://archive.org/details/almanacofamerica00/page/44 44] |url=https://archive.org/details/almanacofamerica00/page/44 }}</ref> rescinded his resignation as Huckabee was preparing to be sworn in on July 15. Within a few hours, Tucker reinstated his resignation after Huckabee and the legislature threatened to initiate [[impeachment]] proceedings against Tucker.<ref name="scottparks"/> Huckabee was then duly sworn in as governor.

In [[1998 Arkansas gubernatorial election|November 1998]], Huckabee was elected to a full four-year term by defeating retired colonel Gene McVay in the primary and Jonesboro attorney and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] candidate Bill Bristow in the general election, becoming the state's third elected Republican governor since Reconstruction.
According to a CNN exit poll, Huckabee received 48% of the African American vote in his 1998 election;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/01/could_mike_huckabee_be_america_1.asp |title=Could Mike Huckabee be America's Second Black President? |last=Faughnahan |first=Brian |date=January 15, 2008 |publisher=[[The Weekly Standard]] |access-date=January 7, 2015}}</ref> but some experts have questioned whether those numbers are a representative sample on how he did on the whole in the election.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ahead of debate, Huckabee's claim of black support questioned|url=http://archives.arkansasnews.com/2007/09/26/ahead-of-debate-huckabees-claim-of-black-support-questioned/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923194725/http://archives.arkansasnews.com/2007/09/26/ahead-of-debate-huckabees-claim-of-black-support-questioned/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 23, 2015|newspaper=[[Arkansas News]]|date=September 26, 2007}}</ref>

In 2001, Huckabee was named "Friend of a Taxpayer" by [[Americans for Tax Reform]] for his cut in statewide spending.<ref name="Jennrubin">{{Cite web|author=[[Jennifer Rubin (journalist)|Jennifer Rubin]]|date=February 12, 2007|title=Taxing Claims: Is Mike Huckabee an "authentic conservative"?|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/219944/taxing-claims/jennifer-rubin|access-date=January 9, 2015|publisher=[[National Review]]}}</ref>

In November 2002, Huckabee was reelected to his 2nd 4-year term by defeating State Treasurer [[Jimmie Lou Fisher]], garnering 53 percent of the vote. His reelection came despite the defeat in the general election of fellow Republican [[U.S. Senator]] [[Tim Hutchinson]].

Huckabee received widespread praise for his state's rapid response to Hurricane Katrina. In 2005, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' named him one of the five best governors in the U.S., writing "Huckabee has approached his state's troubles with energy and innovation" and referred to him as "a mature, consensus-building conservative who earns praise from fellow Evangelicals and, occasionally, liberal Democrats."<ref name="time">{{Cite magazine |title=America's 5 Best Governors |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1129494,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124053404/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1129494,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 24, 2005 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=November 13, 2005}}</ref> ''[[Governing (magazine)|Governing]]'' magazine likewise honored Huckabee as one of its 2005 Public Officials of the Year.<ref name="governing">{{cite web|last=Greenblatt|first=Alan|title=Public Officials of the Year: Mike Huckabee|url=http://www.governing.com/poy/Mike-Huckabee.html|access-date=January 8, 2015|work=[[Governing (magazine)|Governing]]|date=April 15, 2010}}</ref> Additionally, he was among those legislators given the APHA Distinguished Public Health Legislator of the Year Award by the [[American Public Health Association]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Previous APHA Distinguished Legislator of the Year Award Winners|url=http://www.apha.org/about-apha/apha-awards/apha-distinguished-public-health-legislator-of-the-year-award/previous-apha-distinguished-legislator-of-the-year-award-winners|access-date=January 10, 2015|website=[[American Public Health Association]]}}</ref> for that same year.

In 2006, he was presented with [[AARP]]'s Impact Award for his health initiatives.<ref>{{Cite web|title=OASIS awards and achievements|url=http://www.oasisnet.org/AboutUs/History/Awards.aspx|access-date=January 10, 2015|publisher=OasisNet|archive-date=January 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110192238/http://www.oasisnet.org/AboutUs/History/Awards.aspx|url-status=dead}}<br />{{Cite web|date=August 20, 2009|title=Inspire Awards 2006 Honorees: Governor Mike Huckabee, Health Crusader|url=http://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-2005/impact_awards_huck.html|access-date=January 10, 2015|publisher=[[AARP]]}}</ref>

In December 2008, Huckabee became an honorary member of [[Tau Kappa Epsilon]] fraternity. He said that did not have time to join a fraternity in college because he had to "cram four years into a little more than two". The fraternity's CEO said they were "very impressed with his character and the initiatives he headed" as governor.<ref>{{cite news|date=December 13, 2006|title=Arkansas Gov. Huckabee Joins a Fraternity|work=Fox News|agency=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/arkansas-gov-huckabee-joins-a-fraternity|access-date=January 9, 2015}}</ref>

By the end of his term, Huckabee held the 3rd-longest tenure of any Arkansas governor. Only Democrats [[Orval Faubus]], who served 6 consecutive 2-year terms (1955–1967), and [[Bill Clinton]], who served 11 years, 11 months (1979–1981; 1983–1992), had longer tenures.

During his tenure as governor, Huckabee supported tax reforms including tax cuts and increases, that netted $505 million for the state.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/huckabee-in-tax-war-as-ex-governor-launches-white-house-bid-2015-05-05 |title= Huckabee in tax war as ex-governor launches White House bid |last1=Schroeder |first1=Robert |date=May 5, 2015 |publisher=[[MarketWatch]] |access-date=May 5, 2015}}</ref> According to columnist [[Margaret Carlson]], that money was used to improve roads, health care and schools in the state.<ref>Carlson, Margaret. [http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-01-07/bush-and-huckabee-get-ready-for-war "Bush and Huckabee Get Ready for War"], [[Bloomberg View]] (January 7, 2015): "He raised taxes to improve schools, roads and health care in Arkansas."</ref>

====Clemencies====
{{Further|2009 Lakewood shooting|Wayne DuMond|Maurice Clemmons}}

As governor, Huckabee commuted and accepted recommendations for pardon for twice as many sentences as his 3 predecessors combined; in total: 1,033 prisoners.<ref name=" DeMillo ">{{cite news | url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-12-10-huckabee-pardons_N.htm|title= Huckabee Pardons Under Scrutiny |last= DeMillo| first=Andrew |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |agency= Associated Press|date=December 10, 2007|access-date=December 6, 2009}}</ref> Twelve had previously been convicted of murder.<ref name=" Tapper ">{{cite news | url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=3983797&page=1|title= Huckabee's Plethora of Pardons, Former Arkansas Governor Faces Scrutiny for Having a Forgiving Spirit|last= Tapper|first= Jake |publisher=[[ABC News]] |date=December 11, 2007|access-date=December 6, 2009}}</ref> Though Huckabee pardoned more than his predecessors, the state prison size and number of people executed were greater as well,<ref>Associated Press (December 10, 2007). [http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/12/10/mike-huckabee-clemency-record-is-under-scrutiny Mike Huckabee's Clemency Record Is Under Scrutiny.] Fox News. Retrieved January 6, 2015.</ref> Huckabee denied 92% of all clemency requests during his 10.5 years as governor.<ref name="responsibility">{{Cite web |title=Huckabee: 'I take full responsibility" for shooting suspect's clemency - CNN.com |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/12/01/washington.police.huckabee/index.html?iref=24hours |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=edition.cnn.com |language=en}}</ref> Most pardons and commutations were not for prisoners but for those whose sentences had ended and who were seeking work.<ref>Adair, B. (December 28, 2007). [http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2007/dec/28/mitt-romney/yes-huckabee-pardoned-many/ Yes, Huckabee Pardoned Many.] PolitiFact. Retrieved January 6, 2015.<br />Tapper, J. (December 11, 2007). [https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=3983797&page=1&singlePage=true Huckabee's Plethora of Pardons.] ABC News. Retrieved January 6, 2015.</ref> Huckabee's pardons and commutations became an issue during the [[Republican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008|2008 Republican Primary]], with most of the controversy focusing on [[Wayne Dumond]].<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-12-10-huckabee-pardons_N.htm|title= Huckabee Pardons Under Scrutiny |last= DeMillo| first=Andrew |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |agency= Associated Press|date=December 10, 2007|access-date=December 6, 2009}}<br />{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/huckabee-freed-criminals/story?id=9207095 |title=Huckabee Helped Set Rapist Free Who Later Killed Missouri Woman |last=Schone |first=Mark |date=November 30, 2009 |publisher=[[ABC News]] |access-date=January 9, 2015}}</ref>

Huckabee's handling of clemency petitions received national attention in November 2009 with the case of [[Maurice Clemmons]], who had committed burglary without a weapon at 16. The Prison Transfer Board unanimously requested a sentence commutation for Clemmons as did the trial judge.<ref name=responsibility/> Clemmons's 60-year sentence was commuted by Huckabee to 47 years, making him eligible for parole if approved by the parole board. After parole in 2000, Clemmons was arrested for multiple offenses including [[child molestation]] and [[aggravated assault]] but was released after prosecutors declined to file charges. After Clemmons murdered four police officers in [[Lakewood, Washington]], a two-day manhunt ensued, and Clemmons was shot and killed by a [[Seattle Police Department]] officer after refusing police orders to stop charging the officer.<ref name="SeaTimes01Dec">{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010393433_webarrest01m.html |title=Lakewood police shooting suspect killed by Seattle police officer in South Seattle early this morning |last=Sullivan |first=Jennifer |author2=Mark Rahner |author3=Jack Broom |date=December 1, 2009 |newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]] |access-date=December 1, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091204124651/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010393433_webarrest01m.html |archive-date=December 4, 2009 }}</ref> In his book about the shooting, ''The Other Side of Mercy'', Jonathan Martin of ''[[The Seattle Times]]'' wrote that Huckabee apparently failed to review Clemmons's prison file, which was "thick with acts of violence and absent indications of rehabilitation".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/12/18/mike-huckabees-maurice-clemmons-problem/|title=Mike Huckabee's Maurice Clemmons problem|last=Martin|first=Jonathan|publisher=[[The Seattle Times]]|date=December 18, 2013|access-date=January 4, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140402154503/http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/12/18/mike-huckabees-maurice-clemmons-problem/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Huckabee defended his actions, stating that the recommendation to reduce the sentence was unanimous and supported by the trial judge, that the decision to parole him was made by the parole board, not him, and that Clemmons had been re-arrested and the decision not to file charges then had nothing to do with him.<ref>Huckabee, M. (December 1, 2009). [http://humanevents.com/2009/12/01/washington-state-tragedy Washington State Tragedy.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124171143/https://humanevents.com/2009/12/01/washington-state-tragedy/ |date=November 24, 2020 }} ''Human Events.'' Retrieved January 6, 2015.<br />Smith, B. (October 18, 2010). [http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1010/Huckabees_clemency.html Huckabee's Clemency.] ''Politico''. Retrieved January 6, 2015.<br />{{cite news |last=Sterling |first=Amanda |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/12/01/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5854298.shtml |title=Huckabee Calls Criticisms Over Clemency "Disgusting" – Political Hotsheet |publisher=[[CBS News]] |date=December 1, 2009 |access-date=June 13, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="ST1129">{{Cite news|title=Suspect let out of Pierce County jail one week ago |newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]] |location=[[Seattle, Washington]] |date=November 29, 2009 |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010386501_clemmons30m.html |access-date=November 30, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203102157/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010386501_clemmons30m.html |archive-date=December 3, 2009 }}</ref>

===2008 presidential election campaign===

{{Main|Mike Huckabee 2008 presidential campaign}}
{{See also|2008 United States presidential election}}
Huckabee announced his run for the White House on ''Meet the Press'' on January 28, 2007.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 29, 2007 |title=Huckabee, the Jared Candidate? |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2007/01/29/the-jared-candidate |publisher=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=January 6, 2015}}<br />{{cite web |date=January 28, 2007 |title=Former AR Governor Mike Huckabee to Explore Presidential Bid |url=http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2008/huckabee/huck012807pr.html |publisher=[[George Washington University]] |access-date=January 6, 2015}}</ref>

At the August 11 [[Iowa Straw Poll (1979-2011)|Iowa Straw Poll]], Huckabee took second place with 2,587 votes, roughly 18 percent, splitting the conservative Republican party votes amongst other candidates.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930102253/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1652210,00.html What Iowa's Straw Poll Tells the GOP]" Time Online, August 11, 2007</ref> Huckabee spent $57.98 per vote in the Straw Poll, which is the lowest among the top three finishers.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 12, 2007 |last=Lawrence |first=Jill |title=Straw Poll: Huckabee Spent Just $58 Per Vote For 2nd Place and Revived Prospects |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2007/08/163446/1 |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |access-date=January 6, 2015}}</ref> Huckabee drew attention with an unconventional ad featuring [[Chuck Norris]].<ref>{{cite video | people = Mike Huckabee, Chuck Norris |title=HuckChuckFacts |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjYv2YW6azE | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211102/EjYv2YW6azE| archive-date=2021-11-02 | url-status=live| medium = television ad}}{{cbignore}} {{cite news |last=Patton |first=Christopher |title=Candidate ads play nice |newspaper=[[Politico]] |date=November 28, 2007 |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1107/7075.html |access-date=December 21, 2007}}</ref> In a later ad Huckabee wished voters a merry Christmas, and said that "what really matters is the celebration of the birth of Christ."<ref>{{cite video | people = Mike Huckabee |title=What really Matters |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xn7uSHtkuA | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211102/8xn7uSHtkuA| archive-date=2021-11-02 | url-status=live| medium = television ad}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In November 2007, Huckabee drew endorsements from a large number of religious activists, including [[Billy McCormack (Louisiana pastor)|Billy McCormack]], a pastor in [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]], Louisiana, and a director and vice president of the [[Christian Coalition of America]], founded in 1988 by a previous presidential candidate, [[Pat Robertson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pastors4huckabeeblog.com/prominent-pastors-christian-leaders-who-have-endorsed-huckabee/|title=Prominent Pastors and Christian Leaders Who Have Endorsed Huckabee|publisher=pastors4huckabeeblog.com|access-date=June 6, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711175928/http://pastors4huckabeeblog.com/prominent-pastors-christian-leaders-who-have-endorsed-huckabee/|archive-date=July 11, 2012}}</ref> He was criticized for using a bookshelf that resembled a cross in a Christmas commercial as a form of signaling to Christians, and laughed them off saying "I will confess this: If you play the spot backwards, it says, '[[Paul is dead]]. Paul is dead.{{'"}}<ref>Staff and Wire Reports for the Dallas News. December 20, 2007 [https://web.archive.org/web/20080919043143/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/nation/stories/DN-huckabee_20nat.ART.State.Edition1.36c953b.html Huckabee defends religious-themed Christmas ad]</ref><ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/12/20/politics/main3636407.shtml Politics, Now Wrapped in Holiday Cheer] CBS News, December 21, 2007</ref> He also faced a "drumbeat" of questions about the role of faith in his gubernatorial administration and about past statements he made in 1998 about the U.S. being a "Christian nation" in which he said, "I hope we answer the alarm clock and take this nation back for Christ." Huckabee told NBC that his comment was not politically incorrect and was "appropriate to be said to a gathering of Southern Baptists".<ref>{{cite news |date=December 31, 2007 |last=Sidoti |first=Liz |title=Huckabee Stands by 'Christ' Comment |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-12-30-4030361336_x.htm |agency=[[Associated Press]] |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |access-date=January 6, 2015}}</ref> Huckabee has credited God with some of his political success.<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/Politics/story?id=3960611&page=1 Matter of Faith: Vote God 2008] December 5, 2007</ref>

On January 3, 2008, Huckabee won the [[2008 Iowa Republican caucuses|Iowa Republican caucuses]], receiving 34% of the electorate and 17 delegates, compared with the 25% of [[Mitt Romney]], who finished second, receiving 12 delegates; [[Fred Thompson]], who came in third place and received three delegates; [[John McCain]], who came in fourth place and received three delegates; and [[Ron Paul]], who came in fifth place and received two delegates.

[[File:Norrishuckabee.JPG|thumb|Huckabee with actor [[Chuck Norris]] in [[Londonderry, New Hampshire|Londonderry]], New Hampshire (2008)]]
On January 8, 2008, Huckabee finished in third place in the [[New Hampshire primary]], behind [[John McCain]] in first place, and [[Mitt Romney]] who finished second, with Huckabee receiving one more delegate for a total of 18 delegates, gained via elections, and 21 total delegates, versus 30 total (24 via elections) for Romney, and 10 for McCain (all via elections).

On January 15, 2008, Huckabee finished in third place in the [[2008 Michigan Republican primary]], behind [[John McCain]] in second place; [[Mitt Romney]], who finished first; and ahead of [[Ron Paul]], who finished in fourth place.<ref name="cnn">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#MI |title=CNN Politics Election Center 2008 | access-date=May 12, 2010}}<br />{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/miprimaries/miprimaryjan080115.html |title=Overall Michigan Results |newspaper=[[Politico]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=January 9, 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Huckabee SC concession.JPG|thumb|left|Huckabee giving a speech following the South Carolina 2008 presidential primary in [[Columbia, SC]]]]
On January 19, 2008, Huckabee finished in second place in the [[2008 South Carolina Republican primary]], behind [[John McCain]], who finished first and ahead of [[Fred Thompson]], who finished third.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#SC | publisher=[[CNN]] | title=Election Center 2008: Primary Results – Elections & Politics news from CNN.com}}</ref>

On January 29, 2008, Huckabee finished in fourth place in the Florida primary, behind [[Rudy Giuliani]] in third, [[Mitt Romney]] in second, and [[John McCain]] in first place.

On January 21, 2008, Huckabee received the endorsement of 50 African American leaders in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. The endorsers cited Huckabee's record on abortion, education, minorities, the economy, the prison system, and immigration as Arkansas governor.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/01/21/politics/fromtheroad/entry3735143.shtml |title=Huckabee Courts Black Vote |last=Lin |first=Joy |date=January 21, 2008 |publisher=[[CBS News]] |access-date=January 9, 2015}}</ref> However, NBC reported that the endorsement of African American leaders at the Atlanta event was 36, and "most of them connected to conservative religious organizations".<ref>{{cite news |title=Conservative black leaders endorse Huckabee|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/22771493/ns/politics-decision_08/t/conservative-black-leaders-endorse-huckabee/|agency=NBC News|date=January 21, 2008}}</ref>

On February 5, 2008, Huckabee won the first contest of "[[Super Tuesday]]", the [[West Virginia]] GOP state [[Political convention|convention]], but only after the McCain campaign provided their delegates, thereby giving Huckabee 52% of the electorate to [[Mitt Romney]]'s 47%.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0208/Romney_loses_West_Virginia_.html |title=Romney Loses West Virginia! |publisher=[[Politico]] |access-date=June 13, 2010}}</ref> Backers of rival [[John McCain]] said they threw Huckabee their support to prevent Mitt Romney from capturing the winner-take-all GOP state convention vote.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 5, 2008 |title=Huckabee wins 18 W.Va. GOP delegates with help from McCain |url=http://abclocal.go.com/story?section=news/politics&id=5937117 |publisher=[[ABC News]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=January 6, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106232356/http://abclocal.go.com/story?section=news%2Fpolitics&id=5937117 |archive-date=January 6, 2015 }}</ref> Consequently, he also registered victories in [[Alabama]], [[Arkansas]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] and [[Tennessee]] on Super Tuesday, bringing his delegate count up to 156, compared with 689 for Republican party front-runner [[John McCain]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/gopdelegates/index.html |title=Election 2008: Results: Republican Delegate Count |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=January 9, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916170904/http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/gopdelegates/index.html |archive-date=September 16, 2008 }}</ref>

[[File:Former Arkansas Governor and 2008 Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee with a supporter at a campaign rally in Wisconsin.jpg|thumb|Huckabee with a supporter at a campaign rally in [[Wisconsin]]]]
On February 9, 2008, Huckabee won the first election following Super Tuesday, by winning 60% of the vote in the [[2008 Kansas Republican caucuses|Kansas Republican Caucuses]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#KS |title=Huckabee Wins Kansas |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=June 13, 2010}}</ref>
This was also the first contest to be held without [[Mitt Romney 2008 presidential campaign|Mitt Romney]], who was said to be splitting the conservative vote with Huckabee.<ref>{{cite news |author=Bill Schneider CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/05/super.exit/?iref=mpstoryview |title=Romney, Huckabee splitting conservative vote |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=February 6, 2008 |access-date=June 13, 2010}}</ref> Huckabee also won the [[2008 Louisiana Republican presidential caucuses and primary|Louisiana Republican Primary]] with 44% of the vote to John McCain's 43% in second. Although Huckabee won the primary he was not awarded any delegates, because of state party rules that stated a candidate must pass the 50% threshold to receive the state's pledged delegates.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#val=LA |title=Huckabee wins Louisiana |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=June 13, 2010}}</ref>

On March 4, 2008, Huckabee withdrew from seeking the candidacy as it became apparent he would lose in Texas, where he had hoped to win, and that [[John McCain]] would get the 1,191 delegates required to win the Republican nomination. Huckabee finished the race with 240 pledged delegates.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 6, 2016 |title=Results: Republican Delegate Count |url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2008/primaries/results/gopdelegates/index.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=March 23, 2017 }}</ref>

====Vice presidential candidate speculation====

Even though Huckabee had signed a television contract and a book deal with a pressing deadline, he was mentioned by most to be on then-presumptive Republican presidential nominee [[John McCain]]'s short list for his vice presidential [[running mate]]. The late pundit [[Tim Russert]] even referred to Huckabee as "Vice President Huckabee" several times when he appeared on ''[[Meet The Press]]'' on May 18, 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/24693653 |title=Russert: Vice President Huckabee |publisher=[[NBC News]] |date=May 18, 2008 |access-date=June 13, 2010}}</ref> Huckabee was eventually passed over for [[Sarah Palin]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/25970882/ns/politics-decision_08/t/vp-pick-palin-makes-appeal-women-voters |title=VP Pick Palin Makes Appeal to Women Voters |date=August 29, 2008 |publisher=[[NBC News]] |access-date=January 18, 2015}}</ref>

Former president [[Bill Clinton]] has praised Huckabee and stated that he is a rising star in the Republican Party. Clinton and Huckabee have collaborated on initiatives such as the fight against childhood obesity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://communities.canada.com/shareit/blogs/theelephant/archive/2008/01/03/bill-clinton-at-des-moines-starbucks-talks-up-huckabee-downplays-hillary-expectations.aspx |title=Bill Clinton at Des Moines Starbucks – talks up Huckabee, downplays Hillary expectations – The Elephant |publisher=Communities.canada.com |access-date=June 13, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607065351/http://communities.canada.com/shareit/blogs/theelephant/archive/2008/01/03/bill-clinton-at-des-moines-starbucks-talks-up-huckabee-downplays-hillary-expectations.aspx |archive-date=June 7, 2008 }}<br />{{cite web |url=http://usliberals.about.com/od/presidentbillclinton/ig/Clinton-Foundation-Photos/BClinton---Mike-Huckabee.htm |title=Bill Clinton and Mike Huckabee Announce Partnership to Fight Childhood Obesity – Clinton Foundation Photo Archives – William J. Clinton Foundation |publisher=Usliberals.about.com |date=October 20, 2005 |access-date=June 13, 2010 |archive-date=December 24, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091224184452/http://usliberals.about.com/od/presidentbillclinton/ig/Clinton-Foundation-Photos/BClinton---Mike-Huckabee.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> Former Tennessee Republican Party chairman and Huckabee's former campaign manager [[Chip Saltsman]] has called Governor Huckabee, "The most successful failed presidential candidate in the history of our country".<ref>{{cite web |last=Allocca |first=Kevin |url=http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/fnc/the_most_successful_failed_presidential_candidate_in_the_history_of_our_country_146678.asp |title=The most successful failed presidential candidate in the history of our country. |publisher=[[Mediabistro (website)|Mediabistro]] |date=December 21, 2009 |access-date=June 13, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211073110/http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/fnc/the_most_successful_failed_presidential_candidate_in_the_history_of_our_country_146678.asp |archive-date=February 11, 2010 }}</ref>


===Speculated 2012 presidential campaign===
[[File:Former Governor Mike Huckabee speaking at the 2011 Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.jpg|thumb|Former Governor Huckabee speaking at the 2011 [[Republican Leadership Conference]] in [[New Orleans, Louisiana]]]]
{{See also|2012 United States presidential election}}
In a November 19, 2008, article by the [[Associated Press]], Huckabee addressed the possibility of running for president in 2012. He said, "I'm not ruling anything out for the future, but I'm not making any specific plans."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_wires/2008Nov19/0,4675,HuckabeeBook,00.html |title=Huckabee won't rule out 2012 run for President |last=Ohlemacher |first=Stephen |agency=Associated Press |date=November 19, 2008}}</ref>

Amid speculation about a future run for the presidency, a [[CNN]] poll in December 2008 found Huckabee at the top of the list of 2012 GOP contenders, along with former [[Alaska]]n [[List of Governors of Alaska|governor]] [[Sarah Palin]], fellow 2008 presidential candidate [[Mitt Romney]], and former [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House]] [[Newt Gingrich]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/05/huckabee-and-palin-top-early-2012-list/ |first=Paul |last=Steinhauser |title=Huckabee and Palin top early 2012 list |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=December 6, 2008 |date=December 5, 2008}}</ref>

On December 3, 2008, Cincinnati-based [[NBC]] affiliate WLWT asked Huckabee about the prospect of running, to which he said, "I'm pretty sure I'll be out there. Whether it's for myself or somebody else I may decide will be a better standard bearer, that remains to be seen."<ref>{{cite web|title=2012 Speculation Swirls As Huckabee Visits Tri-State|url=http://www.wlwt.com/politics/18192964/detail.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511012441/http://www.wlwt.com/politics/18192964/detail.html|archive-date=May 11, 2011|access-date=2 April 2009|website=WLWT}}</ref>

A June 2009 [[CNN]]/[[Opinion Research Corporation]] national poll showed Huckabee as the 2012 presidential co-favorite of the Republican electorate along with Palin and Romney.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/02/cnn-poll-no-frontrunner-in-gop-2012-presidential-race/ | title=CNN Poll: No frontrunner in GOP 2012 presidential race | publisher=[[CNN]] | date=June 2, 2009}}</ref> An October 2009 poll of Republicans by [[Rasmussen Reports]] put Huckabee in the lead with 29%, followed by Romney on 24% and Palin on 18%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2012/gop_2012_huckabee_29_romney_24_palin_18 |date=October 16, 2009 |access-date=October 17, 2009 |publisher=[[Rasmussen Reports]] |title=GOP 2012: Huckabee 29% Romney 24% Palin 18%}}</ref> In a November 2009 [[The Gallup Organization|Gallup]] poll, Huckabee was shown as the leading Republican contender for 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.gallup.com/poll/124097/huckabee-romney-palin-see-most-republican-support-12.aspx|title= Huckabee, Romney, Palin See Most Republican Support for '12|date= November 5, 2009|publisher=[[Gallup (company)|Gallup]]|access-date=November 25, 2009}}</ref> In November 2010 [[CNN]] projected in a poll that Huckabee would defeat Barack Obama in a hypothetical 2012 contest.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2010/pollcenter/individual/index.html#1823 |title= Huckabee would defeat Obama in a hypothetical 2012 contest|date= November 7, 2010|publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=November 10, 2010}}</ref> In a Rasmussen poll taken January 11–14, 2011, Huckabee was even with Obama at 43% each.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/romney_huckabee_even_with_obama_other_gop_hopefuls_trail |title= Romney, Huckabee Even With Obama, Other GOP Hopefuls Trail|date= February 6, 2011|publisher=[[Rasmussen Reports]] |access-date=March 8, 2011}}</ref>

Huckabee took stances opposed to the nature of the incumbent president, [[Barack Obama]]. In comments made March 1, 2011, on ''[[The Steve Malzberg Show]]'', Huckabee said of Obama, "I would love to know more. What I know is troubling enough. And one thing that I do know is his having grown up in Kenya, his view of the Brits, for example, is very different than the average American."<ref>{{cite news |first=Emi |last=Kolawole |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2011/03/huckabee-asserts-hes-not-a-bir.html |title=Huckabee claims inaccurately that Obama was raised in Kenya |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=March 1, 2011}}<br />{{cite news |first=Alexander |last=Mooney |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/01/oops-huckabee-says-obama-grew-up-in-kenya/ |title=Oops! Huckabee says Obama grew up in Kenya |publisher=[[CNN]] |work=Political Ticker |date=March 1, 2011}}</ref> (This is a reference to the [[Mau Mau Uprising]] against the colonial rule of the United Kingdom in 1952; Obama himself has never lived in Kenya.)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/05/mike-huckabee-janet-porter-soviet-spy |title=Huckabee Adviser: Obama is a Soviet Spy |first=Tim |last=Murphy |work=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]] |date=May 10, 2011}}</ref>

On May 14, 2011, Huckabee announced on his [[Fox News Channel|FNC]] show that he would not be a candidate for the GOP presidential nomination in 2012. Despite his high national poll numbers and being seen by many as the front runner, Huckabee declined to run, saying, "All the factors say 'go,' but my heart says 'no.{{'"}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Cillizza |title=Mike Huckabee won't run for president in 2012 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/mike-huckabee-wont-run-for-president-in-2012/2011/05/14/AFGcpk3G_blog.html |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=May 14, 2011 |access-date=May 15, 2011 }}</ref>

===2016 presidential campaign===
{{main|Mike Huckabee 2016 presidential campaign}}
{{See also|2016 United States presidential election}}
[[File:Mike Huckabee by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg|left|thumb|Huckabee speaking at 2014 [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) in Maryland]]
Political commentators speculated that Huckabee might be ready for another presidential run in 2016. He was limited by a lack of money in 2008 but with changes to federal election law allowing [[SuperPAC]]s to pour large sums of money into a race he might be better positioned to stay in the race.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 13, 2013 |last=Grier |first=Peter |title=Mike Huckabee 2016: New wildcard in the GOP race? |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/Decoder-Wire/2013/1213/Mike-Huckabee-2016-New-wildcard-in-the-GOP-race |newspaper= [[The Christian Science Monitor]] |access-date=January 6, 2015}}</ref> Huckabee has in addition earned personal wealth since 2008 on the lecture circuit and his TV and radio shows. He ended his daily radio show in December 2013, which strengthened speculations about a presidential bid.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mike-huckabee-sounds-a-lot-like-hes-running-for-president-in-2016/2013/12/13/090ab36a-6386-11e3-a373-0f9f2d1c2b61_story.html | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | first=Karen | last=Tumulty | title=Mike Huckabee sounds a lot like he's running for president in 2016 | date=December 13, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=In Iowa, Mike Huckabee Is Making Moves {{!}} RealClearPolitics |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/10/23/in_iowa_mike_huckabee_is_making_moves__124401-full.html |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=www.realclearpolitics.com}}</ref>

Huckabee indicated in September 2014 that he would make the decision on whether to run early in 2015.<ref>Alexandra Jaffe (September 15, 2014) [https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/217759-huckabee-inching-closer-to-2016-run/ Huckabee inching closer to 2016 run] The Hill.</ref> In January 2015, Huckabee ended his show on FNC to prepare for his possible run in the 2016 presidential election.<ref name="stelter"/> On March 30, 2015, Huckabee supporters launched a Super PAC to make preparations for his run for the presidential ticket in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iowa Operative Will Run Mike Huckabee Super PAC| date=April 2, 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/04/02/iowa-operative-will-run-mike-huckabee-super-pac/?_r=0}}</ref>

On May 5, 2015, in his hometown of [[Hope, Arkansas]], Huckabee announced a campaign to seek the [[2016 Republican Party presidential primaries|Republican nomination]] for [[president of the United States]] in the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 election]].<ref name=Gabriel>Gabriel, Trip. [https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/06/us/politics/mike-huckabee-running-in-republican-presidential-primary.html "Mike Huckabee Joins Republican Presidential Race"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' (May 5, 2015).</ref> In his speech, Huckabee attacked trade deals that he said drive down U.S. wages, opposed raising the age for Social Security benefits, criticized President Obama for what he said was putting more pressure on Israel than [[Iran]], and made an unusual plea for donations of $15 or $25 a month, saying: "I will ask you to give something in the name of your children and grandchildren."<ref name=Gabriel />

On February 1, 2016, after a disappointing showing in the [[Iowa]] caucus Huckabee decided that he was going to suspend his campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rafferty|first=Andrew|date=February 1, 2016|title=Mike Huckabee Suspends Presidential Campaign|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/mike-huckabee-suspends-presidential-campaign-n509306|access-date=October 12, 2020|website=NBC News|language=en}}</ref>

===2018 Florida gubernatorial election===
Reports emerged in the summer of 2016 that Huckabee, who currently lives in Florida, was considering [[2018 Florida gubernatorial election|running for governor of Florida in 2018]] to succeed [[term limit]]ed Republican [[incumbent]] [[Rick Scott]]. However, Huckabee later announced that he was declining to run in the [[2018 Florida gubernatorial election|2018 Florida Gubernatorial election]]. Had he run and won, he would have become the first person to serve as governor of two separate states since [[Sam Houston]], who served as [[governor of Tennessee]] and later as [[governor of Texas]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Schorsch|first=Peter|url=http://floridapolitics.com/archives/217601-mike-huckabee-florida-governor|title=Mike Huckabee for Florida Governor?|work=Florida Politics|date=July 28, 2016|access-date=August 12, 2016}}</ref> Before his announcement not to run, an August 2016 poll of Florida Republicans conducted by StPetePolls.org showed Huckabee leading a field of potential Republican gubernatorial candidates with 37%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Florida Statewide Republican Primary Election survey conducted for StPetePolls.org|url=http://stpetepolls.org/files/StPetePolls_2016_State_REP_Primary_August_2_Q8U4.pdf|work=StPetePolls.org|date=August 2, 2016|access-date=August 12, 2016}}</ref>

===Trump administration===
Following the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 U.S. presidential election]], Huckabee met with [[president-elect of the United States]] [[Donald Trump]], whom he had supported for the Republican nomination after ending his own campaign in February. It was reported by ''[[The Daily Mail]]'' and ''[[The Jerusalem Post]]'' that Trump offered Huckabee the position of [[United States Ambassador to Israel]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.753975|title=Report: Trump Taps Mike Huckabee as Ambassador to Israel|first=Barak|last=Ravid|date=November 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118232008/http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.753975|archive-date=18 November 2016|newspaper=Haaretz}}</ref> Huckabee denied the reports.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/306800-huckabee-denies-reports-he-was-tapped-as-ambassador/|title=Huckabee denies reports he was tapped as ambassador to Israel|first=Mark|last=Hensch|date=November 18, 2016}}</ref> He told Fox News that a possible cabinet appointment for himself was discussed but that he turned the offer down, saying, "I'm not sure it was the right fit."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/donald-trump-administration/2016/11/mike-huckabee-trump-cabinet-position-231657|title=Huckabee says cabinet position discussed with Trump not 'the right fit'|website=[[Politico]]|date=November 18, 2016 }}</ref>

His daughter [[Sarah Huckabee Sanders]] served as [[White House press secretary]] to President [[Donald Trump]] from July 2017 until July 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/sarah-huckabee-sanders-white-house-press-secretary-2017-7|title=Sarah Huckabee Sanders will replace Sean Spicer as White House press secretary|work=Business Insider|access-date=January 17, 2018|language=en}}</ref>

In January 2018, Huckabee praised [[Doha]], [[Qatar]] as being "surprisingly beautiful, modern, and hospitable" after a trip there, but did not reveal that a foreign agent for Qatar had paid $50,000 to a corporation run by Huckabee as a "honorarium for visit".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Friedman |first1=Dan |title=Mike Huckabee Praised Qatar Without Revealing He Was Paid $50,000 by Qatar |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/06/mike-huckabee-praised-qatar-without-revealing-he-was-paid-50000-by-qatar/ |publisher=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]] |access-date=June 24, 2018}}</ref>

Following Trump's defeat by [[Joe Biden]] in the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]], Huckabee supported [[Post-election lawsuits related to the 2020 U.S. presidential election|Trump's legal challenges in closely contested states]], stating, "I think he owes it to all of us to make sure the election was fair. I am not saying it wasn't, I don't know. But we need to know, we have to have an answer to the questions that linger."<ref name="twenty">{{Cite web|last=Nelson|first=Joshua|date=2020-11-09|title=Mike Huckabee: Trump team must be allowed to examine voting machines, ballots|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/huckabee-trump-legal-team-review-ballots-evidence|access-date=2020-11-13|website=Fox News|language=en-US}}</ref> On November 15, in a letter addressed to Joe Biden first posted on his website, Huckabee made unsubstantiated claims of election fraud in the 2020 election.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 16, 2020|title=Did Mike Huckabee Write a 'Letter to Biden' About 'Voter Fraud'?|url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/huckabee-letter-biden-fraud/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=[[Snopes]]|language=en-US}}</ref>