 On February 4 , 2014 , conservative political consultant Jeff Bell announced his bid for the nomination . Bell won the Republican Primary and received significant support from the conservative American Principles Fund , which ran a direct mail operation costing over $ 80 @,@ 000 , and the National Organization for Marriage , an anti @-@ same @-@ sex marriage group , which paid for $ 6 @,@ 000 of automated calling . 
