Huckabee in Israel
Huckabee in IsraelYoni Kempinski

Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, announced Saturday night that he is leaving behind his gig as a cable talk show host, to make a final decision on running for United States president in 2016. 

Huckabee, 59, who also sought the Republican nomination in 2008 - but lost to John McCain, announced his plans on his weekly Fox News program called "Huckabee." 

“As much as I have loved doing the show, I cannot bring myself to rule out another presidential run,” said Huckabee. “As we say in television, stay tuned!” he added, noting he will make his final decision "late in the spring." 

Huckabee, a right-wing Christian conservative, who gained support from fellow conservatives in his first campaign, has become even more widely known through his talk show. 

He opposes abortion and supports a constitutional amendment that would ban the procedure. He is also opposed to any form of recognition of same-sex couples. 

The former governor is also a staunch supporter of Israel, which he has visited many times. Several months ago, an Arutz Sheva team accompanied him on visits to Mishor Adumim, Samaria, Jerusalem, and Caesarea. 

Huckabee objects to an Israeli withdrawal from Judea, Samaria, and the Golan Heights and supports building up communities in those regions. On one of his visits to the Jewish State, Huckabee toured Ariel University, expressing his support for the institution. 

During his last trip to Israel, Huckabee paid a condolence call on the Frankel family in Nof Ayalon. Their son, Naftali, was one of three teens murdered by Palestinian terrorists after being kidnapped in Gush Etzion. 

Huckabee is also an active opponent of the Boycott, Divestments, and Sanctions movement against Israel. During his visit to Mishor Adumim, he stopped by the SodaStream factory - a recent target of the BDS movement. 

Despite winning the Iowa caucuses in 2008, Huckabee was financially unable to keep up with his Republic rivals and had difficulty building up his base beyond the Christian right.

However, after earning millions of dollars through his television program and honing the public speaking skills he learned as a Baptist pastor, Huckabee could prove a major force in the 2016 Republican primaries.