Mike Huckabee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mike Huckabee
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Huckabee in 2015
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| United States Ambassador to Israel Nominee |
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| Assuming office TBD |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Succeeding | Jack Lew |
| 44th Governor of Arkansas | |
| In office July 15, 1996 – January 9, 2007 |
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| Lieutenant | Winthrop Paul Rockefeller (1996–2006) None (2006–2007) |
| Preceded by | Jim Guy Tucker |
| Succeeded by | Mike Beebe |
| Chair of the National Governors Association | |
| In office July 18, 2005 – August 7, 2006 |
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| Preceded by | Mark Warner |
| Succeeded by | Janet Napolitano |
| 16th Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas | |
| In office November 20, 1993 – July 15, 1996 |
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| Governor | Jim Guy Tucker |
| Preceded by | Jim Guy Tucker |
| Succeeded by | Winthrop Paul Rockefeller |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Michael Dale Huckabee
August 24, 1955 Hope, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Janet McCain
(m. 1974) |
| Children | 3, including Sarah |
| Education | Ouachita Baptist University (BA) Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (attended) |
| Occupation |
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| Signature |  |
Michael Dale Huckabee (born August 24, 1955) is an American political commentator and former politician. He also works as a Baptist minister. He was the 44th governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007.
Huckabee ran for the Republican Party presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016. He hosts a talk show called Huckabee on TBN. He used to host a show on the Fox News Channel. He also had a daily radio program.
In 2008, Huckabee won the Iowa Republican caucuses. He finished third in the overall popular vote for the Republican nomination. He ran for president again in 2016 but stopped his campaign early.
Mike Huckabee is the father of Sarah Huckabee Sanders. She is currently the governor of Arkansas. She also used to be the White House Press Secretary. In November 2024, it was announced that President-elect Donald Trump plans to nominate Huckabee as the United States Ambassador to Israel.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Mike Huckabee was born in Hope, Arkansas, on August 24, 1955. His parents were Dorsey Wiles Huckabee and Mae (Elder) Huckabee. His father was a fireman and mechanic. His mother worked as a clerk.
When he was 14, Huckabee got his first job at a radio station. He read the news and weather. In high school, he was student council vice president and then president. He began his ministry work in 1972.
Huckabee married Janet McCain in 1974. He graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in religion. He later attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary but left after a year. He took a job in Christian broadcasting instead.
Minister and Pastor Career
At 21, Huckabee worked for televangelist James Robison. Before becoming a politician, he served as a pastor. He led Immanuel Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, from 1980 to 1986. Then he led Beech Street First Baptist Church in Texarkana, from 1986 to 1992.
Huckabee started 24-hour TV stations in Pine Bluff and Texarkana. He made documentaries and hosted a show called Positive Alternatives. He encouraged his church in Pine Bluff to welcome black members. He served as president of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention from 1989 to 1991.
Political Journey
Becoming Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas
Huckabee first ran for political office in 1992. He lost a race for U.S. Senator. In 1993, he ran in a special election for lieutenant governor. He won, becoming the second Republican to hold that office in Arkansas since the Reconstruction era.
He was re-elected as lieutenant governor in 1994. He won with almost 59 percent of the vote.
Serving as Governor of Arkansas
In May 1996, the current governor, Jim Guy Tucker, resigned. Huckabee then became the governor of Arkansas. In November 1998, Huckabee was elected to a full four-year term. He became the state's third elected Republican governor since Reconstruction.
He was re-elected for a second four-year term in November 2002. He won with 53 percent of the vote.
Huckabee was praised for his state's quick help after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Time magazine named him one of the five best governors in the U.S. They noted his energy and new ideas. Governing magazine also honored him as a Public Official of the Year.
By the end of his time as governor, Huckabee had served the third-longest term of any Arkansas governor. He supported tax increases that helped improve roads, health care, and schools.
Presidential Campaigns
2008 Presidential Election Campaign
Huckabee announced he would run for president on January 28, 2007. He gained attention with an unusual ad featuring actor Chuck Norris. He also wished voters a merry Christmas in an ad.
On January 3, 2008, Huckabee won the Iowa Republican caucuses. He received 34% of the votes. He finished third in the New Hampshire primary and Michigan Republican primary, 2008. He came in second in the South Carolina Republican primary, 2008.
On February 5, 2008, Huckabee won several states on "Super Tuesday". These included Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, and Tennessee. He also won the Kansas Republican Caucuses and the Louisiana Republican Primary.
On March 4, 2008, Huckabee stopped his campaign. It became clear that John McCain would win the Republican nomination.
2012 Presidential Campaign Speculation
After the 2008 election, many people thought Huckabee might run for president again in 2012. Polls showed him as a top choice among Republicans. However, on May 14, 2011, Huckabee announced he would not run. He said, "All the factors say 'go,' but my heart says 'no.'"
2016 Presidential Campaign
Political experts again thought Huckabee might run for president in 2016. He had more personal wealth and new ways to raise money. On May 5, 2015, Huckabee announced his campaign in his hometown of Hope, Arkansas. He talked about trade deals and Social Security. He also asked for small donations from supporters.
On February 1, 2016, Huckabee ended his campaign. This was after he did not do well in the Iowa caucus.
After Presidential Campaigns
Huckabee considered running for governor of Florida in 2018. If he had won, he would have been the first person since Sam Houston to be governor of two different states. However, he later decided not to run.
After the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Huckabee met with president-elect of the United States Donald Trump. Trump offered him a position, but Huckabee turned it down. His daughter, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, served as White House press secretary for President Trump.
In November 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to nominate Huckabee as the next U.S. Ambassador to Israel.
Media Career
On June 12, 2008, Fox News hired Huckabee as a political commentator. He also became a regular contributor to their election coverage.
Huckabee hosted a weekend show called Huckabee on Fox News Channel. It started in September 2008. The show ended in January 2015 when he considered running for president. In October 2017, the Huckabee show was relaunched on the Trinity Broadcasting Network.
He also hosted a daily radio program called The Huckabee Report. It ran from 2009 to 2015.
Political Views
Health Care
Huckabee did not support the health care plan known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. He believes people should have more control over their own health care choices.
Trade
Huckabee supports fair trade. He believes that too many lawsuits, taxes, and rules can cause American jobs to be lost. He has suggested economic actions against China.
Race Relations
Huckabee believes it is important for Republicans to connect with black voters. In 2015, he worked to gain these votes. He stated that the issue of the Confederate flag was for South Carolina to decide. He later congratulated Governor Nikki Haley for supporting its removal from the state capitol.
LGBT Rights
Huckabee believes that marriage is only between one man and one woman. He does not support same-sex marriage or civil unions. In 2006, he made same-sex marriage illegal in Arkansas. However, in 2007, he said Americans should "respect" gay couples.
Role of Religion in Public Life
Huckabee believes in intelligent design. He has also stated that he does not believe Darwin's theory of evolution is correct. He thinks students should learn about both evolution and creationism.
Military
In 2007, Huckabee argued for a larger military. He also wanted to increase spending on defense.
Immigration
Huckabee's immigration plan included building a border fence. He also wanted more border patrol officers. His plan required undocumented immigrants to register with the government. They would then have to return to their home countries within 120 days. If they did not, they would be banned from entering the U.S. for 10 years.
Personal Life and Interests
Music
Huckabee plays the electric bass guitar in his classic-rock band, Capitol Offense. The band has played at political events and parties. In 2007, he received the Music for Life Award for supporting music education.
Health and Wellness Journey
When he became governor, Huckabee was very overweight. In 2003, doctors told him he had type 2 diabetes. They said he needed to lose weight to live longer. Huckabee weighed as much as 300 pounds (140 kg). He started eating healthier and exercising. He lost over 110 pounds (50 kg).
Huckabee has called himself a "recovering foodaholic." He has talked about how hard it was to be obese. He used his weight loss story to focus on health care reform as governor.
He has completed several marathons. These include the 2005 Marine Corps Marathon and the 2006 New York City Marathon. He wrote a book about his weight loss called Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork. He received an AARP Impact Award for his work as a "health crusader."
Images for kids
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Mike Huckabee's signature
See also
In Spanish: Mike Huckabee para niños
- List of governors of Arkansas
- Electoral history of Mike Huckabee
- 2016 Republican Party presidential candidates
