2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Romney Exploratory Committee Announces Iowa Leadership Committee

Romney Exploratory Committee Announces Iowa Leadership Committee

Boston, MA - The Romney for President Exploratory Committee today announced the formation of the campaign’s Iowa Leadership Committee. The committee will continue to add new members and will help Governor Romney reach out to voters across the Hawkeye State.

"Our Iowa team represents a strong collation of leaders and activists who have spent years serving their community," said Governor Romney. "I am honored to have their support and look forward to working with them as we advance our pro-growth, pro-jobs message across Iowa.”

In joining the Romney Exploratory Committee, former Iowa GOP Chairman Brian Kennedy said, “As a successful businessman, Mitt Romney turned around struggling businesses, and as a fiscally responsible governor he balanced state budgets. He is a proven leader who has developed the skills needed to create jobs and grow our economy. I am proud to support Gov. Romney’s candidacy and am excited to join his Iowa team.”

Romney For President Iowa Leadership Team:

Former Iowa GOP Chairman Brian Kennedy, Bettendorf
 
State Representative Renee Schulte, Cedar Rapids

Polk County GOP Organization Chair Connie Schmett, Clive

Republican Activist Alan Lucken, Akron

Former State GOP Central Committee Member Rose Kramer, Dubuque

Former Pottawattamie County GOP Chairman Steve Cates, Council Bluffs

The Union Leader: Romney to formally announce run for President in NH on June 2 | New Hampshire News

Romney to formally announce run for President in NH on June 2By JOHN DiSTASO
Senior Political Reporter

MANCHESTER  “Emphasizing the importance of the first-in-the-nation primary state to his campaign, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will formally announce his candidacy for President in New Hampshire next Thursday, June 2.”

Exclusive: Romney to formally announce run for President in NH on June 2 | New Hampshire NEWS0605

Treasurer Dan Rutherford To Serve As Romney Illinois State Chair

Treasurer Dan Rutherford To Serve As Romney Illinois State Chair

Boston, MA - The Romney for President Exploratory Committee today announced that State Treasurer Dan Rutherford will serve as the campaign’s state chairman for Illinois. Treasurer Rutherford will play an integral role on the Romney Committee, helping to reach out to voters and to spread Governor Romney's pro-jobs message.

"As a longstanding and important part of the political and business community in Illinois, Treasurer Rutherford understands the challenges facing our country," said Governor Romney. "He realizes that in order to jump start our economy and create jobs, we need to cut spending, lower taxes and reduce government. I am grateful for his support and look forward to working with him in the future.”

In joining the Romney Exploratory Committee, Treasurer Rutherford said, “As a businessman and a successful governor, Mitt Romney has the experience needed to create jobs and turn around our economy. Mitt is the right candidate at the right time, and he is the only Republican who can beat President Obama in 2012. I am proud to support his candidacy and am excited to help him spread his pro-jobs, pro-growth message.”

Dan Rutherford was elected Illinois State Treasurer on November 2, 2010. Before being elected state treasurer, Rutherford served 18 years in the Illinois General Assembly, including 10 years as a state representative and as a state senator from 2003 to 2010. He retired from his career in the private sector at the end of 2010 after 25 years as a successful businessman.

Rutherford received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Illinois State University.

Mitt Romney Travels To Iowa On May 27, 2011

Mitt Romney Travels To Iowa

Boston, MA - The Romney for President Exploratory Committee today announced that Governor Romney will travel to Iowa on Friday, May 27, 2011 to meet with Iowa voters and address the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Presidential Forum Speaker Series.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Gov. Romney Meets with Employees at AgVision Agriculture Software, Ankeny, IA.

When: 10:15 AM CDT

Gov. Romney Delivers Remarks at the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Presidential Forum Speaker Series

When: 12:00 PM CDT
                                  
Location:
Historical Building
600 East Locust Street
Des Moines, IA.

Gov. Romney Attends Johnson and Linn County GOP Picnic

When: 5:45 PM CDT
                              
Location:               
Hughes Farm
6400 76th Avenue Southwest
Cedar Rapids, IA.

Mitt Romney To Appear At The Linn & Johnson County Picnic On Friday, May 27, 2011 In Cedar Rapids, IA

Mitt Romney/Linn & Johnson County Picnic

Friday, May 27 at 6:00pm

Location: Dwight Hughes Farm - 6400 76th Ave. S. W. - Cedar Rapids, IA

Sara Craig Joins Romney Exploratory Committee As State Director For Iowa

Sara Craig Joins Romney Exploratory Committee As State Director For Iowa

Boston, MA - The Romney for President Exploratory Committee today announced that veteran political operative Sara Craig will serve as State Director for Iowa.
 
“Sara is an experienced Republican operative with the knowledge and skills to help us build upon our strong network in Iowa,” said Political Director Rich Beeson. “We are very excited she is joining Governor Romney’s campaign to create jobs and strengthen the economy, and we look forward to visiting the Hawkeye State in the near future.”

Craig served as the Central Iowa Field Director for Governor Romney’s 2008 presidential campaign. She also served as the Western Iowa Field Director for the Legislative Majority Fund at the Republican Party of Iowa during the 2006 election cycle and as the Interim Executive Director of the North Dakota Republican Party during the 2008 election cycle.
 
Most recently, Craig was in Nashville, Tennessee serving as Campaign Manager to Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey in his gubernatorial campaign. Currently, she is consulting at Redwave Communications for the firm’s political clientele.
 
A graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Sara holds degrees in both Political Science and Journalism. 

The Committee also announced that Phil Valenziano will serve as State Field Director for Iowa. Valenziano served as Victory Field Director for the Republican Party of Iowa, and most recently worked as a Legislative Clerk in the Iowa House.

Governor Romney Statement on President Obama’s Comments on Israel Today

Governor Romney Statement on President Obama’s Comments on Israel Today

Boston, MA - The Romney for President Exploratory Committee released the following statement today from Governor Romney on President Obama’s comments on Israel:

“President Obama has thrown Israel under the bus. He has disrespected Israel and undermined its ability to negotiate peace. He has also violated a first principle of American foreign policy, which is to stand firm by our friends.”

David Raad Joins Romney Exploratory Committee As Senior Advisor For South Carolina

David Raad Joins Romney Exploratory Committee as Senior Advisor for South Carolina

Boston, MA - The Romney for President Exploratory Committee today announced that David Raad, a veteran of both national and South Carolina campaigns, will serve as Senior Advisor for the Palmetto State.

“David Raad is a skilled political operative who brings knowledge, experience and a history of success to our team,” said campaign manager Matt Rhoades. “We are excited to have David join Governor Romney’s campaign to strengthen our economy, and we look forward to campaigning in South Carolina in the future.” 

During the 2010 election cycle, Raad served as the National Field Director for the Republican National Committee where he managed campaign operations and redeveloped the Committee’s state-of-the-art voter contact programs. He also served as the Missouri Executive Director for President Bush’s 2004 reelection campaign.

Raad served in a number of capacities as a campaign operative in the Palmetto State including Upstate Field Director to President’s Bush’s 1999-2000 primary campaign, consultant to the South Carolina State Senate Caucus, and a host of local and statewide elections.

Raad is a veteran having served in the Army’s First Ranger Battalion and is a graduate of Clemson University.  He and his wife Lori and son Elias live in Powdersville, South Carolina.

Mark DeMoss Joins Romney Exploratory Committee As Senior Advisor

Mark DeMoss Joins Romney Exploratory Committee As Senior Advisor

Boston, MA - The Romney for President Exploratory Committee today announced that veteran public relations consultant Mark DeMoss will join the campaign as a senior advisor.

"I believe given his executive experience and record in both the public and private sectors Governor Romney is uniquely qualified and competent to lead our country out of turbulent economic times and create jobs. He has worked in government long enough to know how government works, but not so long that he only knows how to work for the government,” said DeMoss. “I am proud to serve on Governor Romney's team and look forward to helping him win in 2012."

DeMoss serves as the president of The DeMoss Group, a leading agency providing public relations counsel, media relations, communications, marketing, advertising, and crisis communications services. 

Mark is the author of The Little Red Book of Wisdom, published by Thomas Nelson in March 2007. He was born and raised outside Philadelphia, Pa., and graduated from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va., with a degree in Political Science.  He and his wife April have three children.

Romney For President Exploratory Committee Raises $10.25 Million For Nevada Call Day

Romney for President Exploratory Committee Raises $10.25 Million for Nevada Call Day

LAS VEGAS – The Romney for President Exploratory Committee today announced that it raised $10.25 million in connection with today’s call day fundraiser in Nevada.

Approximately 800 participants from across the nation gathered inside the Las Vegas Convention Center in a space the size of two football fields. The event began at 9am ET and concluded at 5pm ET.

“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for Governor Romney’s campaign,” said Finance Chair Spencer Zwick. “The results are a strong indication of the national enthusiasm for Governor Romney and his pro-jobs platform. As today’s event makes clear, Governor Romney will have the resources to be competitive and to spread his jobs and economy message. We would like to thank all of the friends, volunteers and supporters who helped make this event a success.”