Mitt Romney lost an election.
Willard Mitt Romney ( born March 12 , 1947 ) is an American businessman and politician who served as the 70th Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and the Republican Party 's nominee for President of the United States in the 2012 election . Upon losing to longtime incumbent Ted Kennedy , he resumed his position at Bain Capital . He won several primaries and caucuses ; however , he lost to the eventual nominee , Senator John McCain . United States presidential election, 2012 . The Democratic nominee , incumbent President Barack Obama , and his running mate , Vice President Joe Biden , were elected to a second term , defeating the Republican nominee , former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney and his running mate , Representative and future House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin .