The delegates to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, have officially nominated former Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA) as the Republican Party candidate for President of the United States. He will stand in the November general election against incumbent president (and presumptive Democratic nominee) Barack Obama (D).
Romney has been the presumptive Republican nominee since securing a majority of pledged party convention delegates in May, following a contentious primary season. Today’s convention vote makes that nomination official. Romney is joined on the Republican ticket by his running-mate, Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI 1st).
Before seeking the presidency, Romney served as governor of Massachusetts from 2003-2007. He co-founded and served as chief executive officer (CEO) of Bain Capital, and also led the committee that organized the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He is the youngest son of former Governor George Romney (R-MI), who lost a bid for the Republican presidential nomination to Richard Nixon in 1968.
Romney is the first Mormon to receive a major-party nomination for the presidency and, if elected, would become the first Mormon president. Ryan is Catholic and, if elected, would be only the second Catholic vice president, following incumbent Vice President Joe Biden (D).
The Democratic Party is expected to formally nominate Obama and Biden for reelection at next week’s Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.