Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is steering a true course to become the Republican Party nominee to take on President Barack Obama after winning a hat-trick of primaries.
But his closest rival former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum vowed to stay in the fight, while erstwhile House speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas congressman Ron Paul also remain in the race.
The following is a calendar of election events leading up to the general election on November 6. Dates are subject to change.
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2012
April 24: Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island primaries
May 8: Indiana, North Carolina and West Virginia primaries
May 15: Nebraska, Oregon primaries
May 22: Arkansas and Kentucky primaries
May 29: Texas primary
June 5: California, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Dakota primaries
June 26: Utah primary
August 27-30: Republican national convention in Tampa, Florida
September 4-6: Democratic national convention in Charlotte, North Carolina to formally endorse President Barack Obama as the party's candidate
October 3: First presidential debate in Denver, Colorado
October 11: Vice presidential debate in Danville, Kentucky
October 16: Second presidential debate (town hall format) in Hempstead, New York
October 22: Third and final presidential debate in Boca Raton, Florida
November 6: Presidential and congressional elections
2013
January 20: Presidential inauguration
