Santorum doled out $$ in Iowa, S.C.

CNN's Peter Hamby has the details on how former Sen. Rick Santorum, in addition to giving from his America's Foundation PAC, set up political action committees specifically to fatten the coffers of 2010 candidates in Iowa and South Carolina:

Washington (CNN) - Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum used two recently-formed political action committees to send tens of thousands of dollars to candidates in Iowa and South Carolina in the closing weeks of the midterm election, another indication that the Republican's presidential ambitions are very real.

Between its launch on Sept. 20 and Election Day, Santorum's Iowa Keystone PAC contributed over $48,000 to 16 GOP candidates in the first-in-the-nation caucus state, including two contributions totaling $10,000 to Republican Gov.-elect Terry Branstad.

Two other statewide candidates - Secretary of State candidate Matt Schultz and Treasurer candidate Dave Jamison - also received $10,000 from the PAC, while Attorney General candidate Brenna Findley got a $9,000 assist. Schultz won his race. Jamison and Findley, despite strong challenges, came up short.

During the same period, Santorum also used a new Pennsylvania-based group, PA Keystone PAC, to send $16,000 to 10 Republican candidates in the pivotal early primary state of South Carolina.

Of those, Republican Gov.-elect Nikki Haley received the largest check, a $3,500 contribution. Lieutenant Gov. candidate Ken Ard, Attorney General candidate and Treasurer candidate Curtis Loftis, all of whom won their races, collected $2,500 each.

Santorum is wrapping up a two-day tour of the Palmetto State on Monday.