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With one year to go before the New Hampshire primary, the field of Republican candidates remains wide open.

Former GOP nominee Mitt Romney made some wave recently when he said he was considering running again. Although many observers began to believe that another campaign as in the works, he announced in January that he wouldn't run again.

Romney's decision meant that his former supporters are now shopping for another candidate.

"They're all wondering where to go, wondering what to do next, as am I," said GOP strategist Jim Merrill. "So I think they are going to take their time. They're going to evaluate the field closely, carefully. I think (former Florida Gov.) Jeb Bush will benefit, but I also think (New Jersey Gov. Chris) Christie, (Wisconsin Gov. Scott) Walker and (Florida Sen. Marco) Rubio are the other three in addition to Jeb that will benefit from Mitt's departure."

In terms of fundraising and name recognition, Bush might be the favorite in the wide field of potential candidates. Former New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu said he might wait a while to pick a candidate to support, but he leans toward governors.

"I still maintain that it ought to be a governor that Republicans put forward," Sununu said. "A former governor, a current governor. There's a huge collection of people running, and I think it's going to be a great primary in New Hampshire."

Four potential Republican candidates have visited New Hampshire or plan to soon and have pushed their conservative politics. Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry was in the field in 2012, but he didn't fare well in New Hampshire.

After a couple of high-profile missteps and a chronic back problem that added to his stress, Perry finished sixth in the primary. Perry, 64, admitted that he wasn't ready.

"The running for the nomination of the presidency of the United States requires a substantial amount of time, effort, discipline," Perry said. "I didn't put that in, and it showed."

Now healthy and energized, Perry said that this cycle, New Hampshire voters will see a different candidate.

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Potential Republican field in 2016 wide open