Michele Bachmann Adds to Team With Focus on Iowa and South Carolina

Continuing her bid for the Republican presidential nomination, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota brought in two veteran Republican operatives on her campaign team on Monday. Bachmann named Ron Thomas as a senior adviser to help with her efforts in South Carolina while Guy Short was named national political director.

"I am thrilled to have professionals like Ron and Guy joining the team in their new capacities," Bachmann said. "Both bring professional talents that will be invaluable as we continue to meet voters and share my constitutional conservative views and values in key primary states."

Thomas, a former deputy assistant secretary for policy in the federal Department of Veterans Affairs under George W. Bush, has been in the leadership of the South Carolina Republican Party. Short, who had been active with numerous campaigns and spent five years as chief of staff to then-U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave of Colorado, had been working with Bachmann as an adviser. Bachmann praised Short for his role in leading her successful efforts in August when she won the Iowa Republican straw poll.

"Guy has proven himself to be an important part of our team, playing an integral part in our victory at the Iowa straw poll in August," Bachmann said. " I have every confidence he will guide our political team to victory in the Iowa caucus and through the nominating process."