Politics is not everyone’s cup of tea; there are people whose personal life has faced extreme challenges due to mismanagement of their work-life balance. While some use politics as a stepping stone to success, others have significantly impacted society. Mike Huckabee, the 44th governor of Arkansas, is one of these figures.

Further, he is a renowned American politician and Christian minister.

Mike Huckabee’s Early Life

The 64-year-old Mike was born on August 24, 1955, in Hope, Arkansas, United States. Moreover, his father, Dorsey Huckabee, was a fireman and a mechanic. While his mother, Mae Huckabee, was a clerk at a gas company. Besides, he has a sister named Pat Harris.

Mike Huckabee in his young days
Image: Mike Huckabee in his young days.
Source: Twitter@Celeste Ng

Mike completed high school in the year 1973. After completing high school, he joined Ouachita Baptist University in 1974. He received a bachelor’s degree in religion.

After graduation, he attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. However, He did not meet the course dropping out in just a semester to join a Christian Broadcasting job.

Married to Politician Wife, Janet Huckabee

The renowned politician and author Mike married Janet McCain on May 25, 1974. The two were high school lovers, and at the time, Mike and Janet were 18 years old. The longtime husband-wife duo ishas beenarried for over 48 years as of 2022.

Janet, like her husband, is a politician who served twice as president of the Parent-Teacher Association before becoming the first lady of Arkansas.

Young Mike Huckabee married his high school lover, Janet, in 1974
Image: Young Mike Huckabee married his high school lover, Janet, in 1974.
Source: CBS News

Mike and Janet have romantic solidarity despite their hectic schedules and campaigns. After three decades of their first marriage, the couple participated in a “covenant marriage” ceremony in 2005. Mike, the then-governor, signed an option into law during the ceremony, making it legally more difficult to split up.

Children’s Success in their Respective Career

The lovebird has three children. Their first son, John Mark Huckabee, was born on November 28, 1976. He is an actor/producer/screenwriter famous for An Eye, Charlie Muse, and Triumvirate.

Mike with his wife, Janet, and their children
Image: Mike with his wife, Janet, and their children.
Source: Twitter@GovMikeHuckabee

Their second son, David Huckabee, was born in 1981. He has spent the last three years as a co-owner of KOA Distribution. Likewise, he worked as the chief executive officer for Blue Diamond Media for the past eight years.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, their daughter, is the youngest. She was born on August 13, 1982, and currently serves as Donald Trump’s White House Deputy Press Secretary. She worked in the Oval Office from 2017 to mid-2019.

Pastoral Career Of The Governor, Mike Huckabee

After graduation, Mike joined Immanuel Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, in 1980. He served as a pastor in the church. Mike was a staffer for a televangelist. He started 24-hour television stations to produce documentaries and a host program called Positive Alternatives. Also read: Maxim Baldry

Mike joined another church, Beech Street First Baptist Church in Texarkana, in 1986. From 1989 to 1991, Huckabee was president of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.

Political career

Mike began his political career in 1993 as the Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas. In the 1996 and 2002 state elections, he was elected governor.

The former Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee
The former Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee
Source: MSNBC.com

Huckabee came to the media’s attention after his response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In the same year, 2005, Mike was one of the best five governors of the United States by Time Magazine. At the end of his tenure, he had the third-longest assignment for the Arkansas Government. 

Dramatic Weight Loss

In 2003, after Mick was elected for his office, he was Obese. During his visit to Physicians, he was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. If he would not change his daily habit and lost weight, he could not see the world for more than ten years.

Huckabee at a fundraising program
Huckabee at a fundraising program
Source: JewishInsider.com

Mike weighed around 300 pounds at the Time (135 K.g). After discovering this, he changed his habits drastically and noticed a significant difference in his body shape and size. He lost more than 100 pounds in a short period because he had never gained weight excessively.

Presidential Campaign 2008

After serving as the governor of Arkansas for more than ten years, Mike announced his run for the White House Office on January 28, 2007, with Meet the Press. He saw a massive rise in the pole rank. A large number of religious activists supported him. 

In early January 2008, Huckabee won the Iowa Republican Caucuses. He went on to win several more elections at the state level, but he was denied delegates due to state rule. To be elected as a state delegate, a candidate must receive 50% of the vote.

Mike at the 2008 Presidential Election Campaign
Mike at the 2008 Presidential Election Campaign 
Source: WSJ.com

On March 4, 2008, Mike withdrew his candidacy as he was confirmed. He would not receive enough votes at the state level to be elected as a state delegate. He eventually lost the election receiving just 240 votes compared to John McCain‘s 1191 votes. 

Mike did not stop here only; and he went on to work for various television shows and companies. Some political Commentators expected that Huckabee would run for the 2016 Election Campaign as he had to leave the 2008 campaign due to insufficient funding.

Presidential Campaign 2016 

After 2008, Mike earned personal wealth from TV shows and radio reporters. He ended his show on the radio and television in the year 2014. This indicated his return to the Presidential Campaign of 2016. His supporters had started a campaign for his Presidential ticket. 

Mike with Former President Donald Trump
Mike with Former President Donald Trump
Source: Dailymail.com

In 2015, He criticized President Obama for his international relations with the gulf countries. Mike did not stop there and went on to oppose the decision made by the Obama administration on LGBT society. He outlawed gay marriage in the year 2007. 

In 2017, there was a rumor that President Donald Trump Offered Mike the opportunity to serve as the Ambassador for Iran from America. As in the reports, he declined the offer and moved on. 

Media Career

After retiring from the office, Mike was hired by Fox News as a political commentator and regular contributor in the 2008 presidential election. The same year, he signed a deal with ABC Radio Networks to carry a daily commentary,  The Huckabee Report”. 

The host of  The Huckabee Report, Mike Huckabee
The host of  The Huckabee Report, Mike Huckabee
Source: TBN

He ended his television and radio show in 2013, mentioning that he would start a new program in the upcoming days. Huckabee relaunched his performance in the year 2017 with Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Awards

During their over four decades in the government and various private organizations, Mike has been honored with multiple nominations and awards. He received two Honorary doctoral Degree: A doctor of Humane Letters from John Brown University in 1991 and A Doctor of Law from Ouachita Baptist University in 1992.

Mike is attending a program.
Mike is attending a program.
Source:Twitter.com @Mike Huckabee

Mike was named a ‘Friend of Taxpayers’ by Americans for Tax Reform in 2001. He was named one of Time’s top five governors in 2005. Mike was also named Distinguished Public Health Legislator of the Year. He received the AARP Impact Award in 2006.

For his music education advocacy in 2007, Mike was awarded the Music for Life Award. In 2008, he became an Honorary Member of Tau Kapa Epsilon Fraternity. 

Net Worth

Mike Huckabee has worth $9 million. He has amassed considerable wealth as the state governor for the past 11 years. He worked for Fox News and ABC Radio. This also assisted him in increasing his net worth.

The House of Mike Huckabee
The House of Mike Huckabee
Source: Zillow.com

He owns several actual states around the United States. During his time at Fox News, the average annual salary of a state governor was around $100,000. He paid $80,000 per year.

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Janet Huckabee wife
Sarah Huckabee Sanders Daughter
John Mark Huckabee Son
David Huckabee Son

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