The biggest splash he made during the campaign was rallying together with Kim Davis, a clerk in Kentucky who refused to issue marriage licenses to gay couples following the Supreme Court's historic ruling on same-sex marriage.
In the 2008 GOP presidential primary, Huckabee won the Iowa caucus, along with a smattering of other states in the South. But his victories weren't enough to overtake Sen. John McCain, and he dropped out of the race.
There was speculation Huckabee would run again for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, but he opted out of that contest.
Images from the Iowa caucus:
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Iowa Caucus Election 2016, people voting
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Mike Huckabee drops out of 2016 presidential race
Caucus voters register as they arrive at a Democratic Party Caucus at Jackson Township Fire Station on February 1, 2016 in Keokuk, Iowa.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz bumped billionaire Donald Trump from the top spot and Democrat Hillary Clinton faced a fierce challenge as Iowans voted in the first nominating contest of the 2016 White House race. / AFP / Michael B. Thomas (Photo credit should read MICHAEL B. THOMAS/AFP/Getty Images)
Mike Short (R), a Hillary Clinton caucus chairperson, speaks to undecided voters at a Democratic Party Caucus at Jackson Township Fire Station on February 1, 2016 in Keokuk, Iowa.
After months of fierce campaigning, Iowans take the first steps in deciding which candidate will receive their respective party nomination for the US presidency. / AFP / Michael B. Thomas (Photo credit should read MICHAEL B. THOMAS/AFP/Getty Images)
Caucus attendees sign in as they arrive at a Democratic Party Caucus at Jackson Township Fire Station on February 1, 2016 in Keokuk, Iowa.
After months of fierce campaigning, Iowans take the first steps in deciding which candidate will receive their respective party nomination for the US presidency. / AFP / Michael B. Thomas (Photo credit should read MICHAEL B. THOMAS/AFP/Getty Images)
Caucus attendees listen during a Democratic Party Caucus at Jackson Township Fire Station on February 1, 2016 in Keokuk, Iowa.
After months of fierce campaigning, Iowans take the first steps in deciding which candidate will receive their respective party nomination for the US presidency. / AFP / Michael B. Thomas (Photo credit should read MICHAEL B. THOMAS/AFP/Getty Images)
Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump watch as the first poll numbers come in to the Trump Caucus Watch Party in West Des Moines, Iowa, February 1, 2016.
Iowans started voting in the opening test of the US presidential race, with Republican Donald Trump looking to capitalize on his stunning campaign success and Hillary Clinton defending her status as the Democratic favorite. / AFP / Jim WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)
WEST DES MOINES, IA - FEBRUARY 1: Ballots are counted following the Republican party caucus in precinct 317 at Valley Church on February 1, 2016 in West Des Moines, Iowa. The Democratic and Republican Iowa Caucuses, the first step in nominating a presidential candidate from each party, take place today. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)
WEST DES MOINES, IA - FEBRUARY 1: Ballots are counted following the Republican party caucus in precinct 317 at Valley Church on February 1, 2016 in West Des Moines, Iowa. The Democratic and Republican Iowa Caucuses, the first step in nominating a presidential candidate from each party, take place today. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)
WEST DES MOINES, IA - FEBRUARY 1: Roxanne Nikkel (L) changes her voter registration to Democrat on the back of her husband, Corey Nikkel, so she can attend the Democratic party caucus in precinct 317 at Valley Church on February 1, 2016 in West Des Moines, Iowa. The Democratic and Republican Iowa Caucuses, the first step in nominating a presidential candidate from each party, take place today. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)
WEST DES MOINES, IA - FEBRUARY 1: Abigail Kemp hangs signs in support of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders ahead of the party caucus in precinct 317 at Valley Church on February 1, 2016 in West Des Moines, Iowa. The Democratic and Republican Iowa Caucuses, the first step in nominating a presidential candidate from each party, take place today. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)
WEST DES MOINES, IA - FEBRUARY 1: Democratic caucus-goers wait to sign in ahead of the party caucus in precinct 317 at Valley Church on February 1, 2016 in West Des Moines, Iowa. The Democratic and Republican Iowa Caucuses, the first step in nominating a presidential candidate from each party, take place today. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)
WEST DES MOINES, IA - FEBRUARY 1: Kathi Phillips, the precinct leader for Hillary Clinton, hangs a sign directing Democratic caucus-goers in precinct 317 at Valley Church on February 1, 2016 in West Des Moines, Iowa. The Democratic and Republican Iowa Caucuses, the first step in nominating a presidential candidate from each party, take place today. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)
WEST DES MOINES, IA - FEBRUARY 1: Helen Liu (L) and her son Chad Wang, both first-time caucus-goers, register as Republicans ahead of the party caucus in precinct 317 at Valley Church on February 1, 2016 in West Des Moines, Iowa. The Democratic and Republican Iowa Caucuses, the first step in nominating a presidential candidate from each party, take place today. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)
Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump gestures to his supporters after finishing second in the Iowa Caucus, in West Des Moines, Iowa, February 1, 2016.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz has won the Iowa caucuses -- the first vote in the US presidential race -- in a tight contest with frontrunner Donald Trump and Senator Marco Rubio, US media projections showed. / AFP / Jim WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)
