Santorum staffs up in N.H.
Presidential hopeful -- let's dispense with the pretense at this point -- Rick Santorum has made a second hire in New Hampshire, bringing GOP activist Claira Monier aboard in a volunteer position to "connect Senator Santorum with grassroots activists across the state," according to a press release. More from the release:
“I am honored to have Claira as a part of our team in New Hampshire. Her roots in the Granite State run deep, and there is no doubt her connection to many grassroots activists and party leaders will be a great asset as I continue to consider a run for president,” said Senator Santorum.
Claira Monier has served New Hampshire in many capacities and is a veteran of both state and local politics. A former aide to Republican Gov. Meldrim Thomson and the widow of Senate President Bob Monier, Claira Monier is well acquainted with the politics of New Hampshire. She also served as regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Reagan administration and for 20 years, she was the executive director of the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority. From 1989 to 1991, she chaired U.S. Senator Judd Gregg’s commissions on Health Care Costs and Availability and is also the past Chair of the Manchester Chapter of the American Red Cross. Her honors include the 2004 Citizen of the Year award from the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.
“I believe Rick Santorum’s conservative message is resonating well in New Hampshire. He has demonstrated a deep understanding of the many challenges our country faces – both domestically and internationally – and I believe he has the right message for our state and our country at this critical time,” said Claira Monier. “I look forward to working closely with him in the weeks and months ahead.”
This comes after Santorum hired Mike Biundo as his state director in New Hampshire two weeks ago. The former two-term U.S. Senator is doing his best to take advantage of his early start in the 2012 primary campaign, and the staffing focus on New Hampshire is interesting considering that the Granite State's Republicans seem to be less conducive to Santorum's strong religious/family values message than Iowa and South Carolina primary voters.
Doing well in the leadoff Iowa caucuses is a must for Santorum, and his repeated trips there seem to be paying some dividends in the GOP establishment. The Des Moines Register picks up today on the man behind the "Draft Santorum" website, Thomas Schultz, who is the brother of newly elected Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz. The new secretary has not endorsed anyone -- he tells Fox News -- but Santorum did campaign for Matt Schultz in August, one of dozens of seeds he planted in the big three early states that Santorum hopes will begin to sprout this year.