Presidential hopeful Herman Cain announced his formal candidacy Saturday in Atlanta. He’s the second Georgian who’s entered the race.

Newt Gingrich officially entered the race last week. Cain, an Atlanta, native, made his announcement at a rally in Centennial Olympic Park.

The former Godfather’s Pizza CEO says he hasn’t always been a Republican but became one as he moved up the corporate ladder. He says the party can attract more than just its hardcore base.

“I believe that the Republican Party can also attract a large percentage of the Hispanic population, the Black population if they have the right message and the right messenger and I think that’s where they have faltered in the past.”

A Gallup poll this week shows Cain lacks name recognition but scores high for likability after a presidential debate in South Carolina.

Tags: Newt Gingrich, 2012 presidential race, Herman Cain