Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., placed second behind former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., in the 2012 Republican primaries and there are signs in recent days that he, like his former rival, has his eyes on another bid in 2016.
Despite winning 11 contests in 2012, including the Iowa caucus, Santorum often encountered fundraising woes during his presidential campaign. On Tuesday, Santorum looked to ensure that would not sink him in 2016 by announcing his finance team for his Patriot Voices PAC.
Santorum is turning to Nadine Maenza for help, who worked for him, Romneys 2008 presidential bid, the late U.S. Sen. John Heinz, R-Pa., the Pennsylvania GOP and the Republican National Committee (RNC). Maenza is not the only former Romney hand joining the Santorum team. Former U.S. Assistant Labor Secretary Rob Bickhart will be Patriot Voices finance director after serving in the same post at the RNC and as deputy finance director for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC). Bickhart helped out Romney in 2008 and 2012. Roy Jones, the former chief development officer for conservative evangelical Liberty University, also joined the PAC.
Santorum sounded like a candidate on Tuesday as he announced his new finance team.
"Nadine, Rob, and Roy will play a crucial role in ensuring we have the resources necessary to be a leader in the coming national debate, particularly as we tackle challenges confronting blue-collar families across this country, Santorum said. Their years of experience in raising hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of clients will be an intangible asset to our organization in the weeks and months to come."
Besides unveiling his finance team, Santorum is growing increasingly busy. On Monday, Santorum attended a tea party event in South Carolina which holds its primary after Iowa and New Hampshire cast their ballots.
Santorum and his wife Karen will be releasing a new book on their disabled child Bella, who garnered some attention during the 2012 presidential campaign. Bella's Gift: How One Little Girl Transformed Our Family and Inspired a Nation" will be released next month.
Also on Tuesday, Santorum announced that he would be returning over the weekend and early next week for a five day swing of Iowa, home of the first presidential caucus. Santroum beat Romney there in 2012 by the narrowest of margins.
"I am excited to return to Iowa," Santorum said on Tuesday. "The people of the Hawkeye State have always been so kind to me and my family. I am looking forward to meeting more Iowans and sharing my views on how we can improve the lives of hard-working American families and rekindle the American dream that has become out of reach in far too many communities in Iowa and across the nation."
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
