<b>Election Center:</b> Republican presidential candidate profiles

Candidate preference: Newt Gingrich has soared in the AP-GfK poll of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents asking which candidate they would most like to see win the Republican nomination for president.

Favorability views: Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are leaving the most favorable impression in a December AP-Gfk poll of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents.

Fundraising: Rick Perry and Mitt Romney lead the GOP field in money raised, but President Obama continues to outraise his Republican rivals as primary season approaches.