Rudolph Rudy Giuliani

Republican candidate Rudy Giuliani battled organized crime and insider trading on Wall Street as a federal prosecutor, then gained a national reputation for crime-fighting success as New York’s mayor. But he is most fixed in the public consciousness for his leadership after the 9/11 attacks in New York. During Giuliani’s mayoralty from 1994 to 2001, crime statistics declined significantly—a feat attributed in large part to his CompStat program, which gives the police department access to constantly updated crime data. Giuliani’s crime fighting and security measures also caused controversy among some New Yorkers, who opposed what they saw as heavy-handed police actions. At the same time, he is believed to worry some in the traditional Republican base for his positions as New York mayor advocating gun control and his policy of stopping city workers from reporting suspected illegal immigrants.

Upon leaving office, he founded the consulting firm, Giuliani Partners, which advises clients such as Mexico City on security and crime reduction. In 2005, Giuliani also added his name to what is now Bracewell & Giuliani law firm, known for representing the oil industry and financial sector, and for its handling of cases related to homeland security and energy policy. Giuliani has been a steadfast supporter of the Iraq war and the troop surge.

Giuliani ended his campaign for the presidential nomination on January 31, 2008.