Rick Santorum is an American politician and lawyer who served as a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party and is known for his conservative views on social issues, including opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage. Santorum ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 and gained attention for his strong stance on family values. After leaving the Senate, Santorum became a political commentator and worked with various conservative organizations. He has authored several books and continues to be an influential voice in American politics, particularly among conservative circles.