After his victories in the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, GOP presidential hopeful former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts continues to build momentum and gain the support of some of the leading Republicans in the nation.

Romney unveiled the support of former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, who had briefly been one of his opponents for the Republican presidential nomination back in 2008.

Earlier this month, Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, introduced a bill which would let any children who complete kindergarten in private schools in Florida enter first grade in public schools. She is looking to scrap the current state requirement that children who attended private kindergartens in the Sunshine State must be 6 years old by Sept. 1 of the year they enter first grade to enter that grade in the public schools.

Former Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum came out swinging on Thursday at former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, the leading candidate for the Republican presidential nomination. McCollum is supporting his former congressional colleague Newt Gingrich in the race and is one of his chairmen in Florida.

In an email sent out to supporters Thursday morning, McCollum insisted Romney is burdened by his continued defense of Romneycare.

Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, who had considered launching his own bid for the Republican presidential nomination, announced on Thursday that he is backing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Reid Wilson at National Journal offers an interesting and in-depth look at the leading Republican vice presidential hopefuls. Wilson gives good insight on what Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is looking for in a running mate and there are some leading possibilities including John Thune, Chris Christie and Bob McDonnell. Wilson also has some insight on Marco Rubios chances of ending up on the ticket:

U.S. Rep. Connie Macks team is having a good week. Besides leading the GOP primary field in a poll from Quinnipiac University released on Wednesday, Macks team did a very solid job of managing -- and exceeding -- fundraising expectations for the last quarter of 2011.

Jeff Cohen, the campaign manager of Macks bid for the Republican nomination to challenge Democrat U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, sent out an email to supporters on Thursday in which he noted the campaign brought in more than $758,000 and had almost $918,000 in the bank.

Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich is putting his final chips on South Carolina. The Republican presidential hopeful will be focusing on campaigning in Columbia on Thursday as he looks to derail former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts in the Palmetto State. Gingrich will be joined by former U.S. Rep. J. C. Watts of Oklahoma at a rally in Columbia on Thursday.

In the meantime the Gingrich camp is not backing off on stressing how important the Palmetto State is for them.

Former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner issued a statement on Wednesday aftera poll from Quinnipiac University found him taking 2 percent in the Republican primary to challenge Democrat U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson -- putting him in fourth place, far behind U.S. Rep. Connie Mack who leads with 39 percent.

With a poll from Quinnipiac University released on Wednesday finding him trailing U.S. Rep. Connie Mack in the race for the Republican nomination to challenge Democrat U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux came out swinging at his primary rival. Weighing in on the national debt, LeMieux took a shot at Mack on Wednesday.

Trying to get back in the race after ignoring the New Hampshire primary, Texas Gov. Rick Perry unveiled a new ad on Wednesday hitting the airwaves in South Carolina which holds it primary on Jan. 21. Perry plays up his service in the U.S. Air Force in the ad which features veterans praising the Lone Star State governor.