Ben Carson is the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and 9 other things you should know

By ISABELLE CHAPMAN

Ben Carson: retired neurosurgeon, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and now potential Republican candidate for President of the United States.

The man who performed the first successful separation of craniopagus twins kicked off his campaign May 4 in his hometown of Detroit declaring, "I'm Ben Carson and I'm a candidate for the president of the United States."

Carson also tweeted out that he would be joining the race for the oval office.

Carson began his transition from a doctor to a political figure when he captured America's attention as keynote speaker at the National Prayer Breakfast in 2013. His comments sparked a national discussion. He received praise from Rush Limbaugh and the right, and criticism from the left for his opinions on political correctness: "a horrible thing" because it hinders freedom of expression.

The 63-year-old enters the race with 7.8 percent of Republicans or right-leaning voters saying they would back Carson. He sits squarely between Ted Cruz, with 8.6 percent, and Chris Christie with 7.8 percent. Jeb Bush still leads the pack with 15.4 percent saying they'd vote for the former governor of Florida.

Carson is way ahead of the only other Republican candidate whose never held political office, Carly Fiorina. The former HP CEO is struggling in the polls in what has become a very crowded Republican field, with only 1.3 percent saying they would back her.

Click through above to learn more about the presidential hopeful.