Newt Gingrich | Credit: Gage Skidmore - Flickr

Once written off in the contest for the Republican presidential nomination, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich is starting to focus on Florida as his campaign finds new life in the fluid race to see who emerges to challenge President Barack Obama in 2012.

After a series of strong debate performances -- and stumbles by some of his primary rivals -- Gingrich has found his footing after a poor start to his presidential bid.

Michael Krull, Gingrich’s campaign manager, sent out an email to supporters on Wednesday, pointing to a We Ask America poll of Iowa, which holds the first caucus. The poll, which was released on Monday, showed businessman Herman Cain in front of the pack in the Hawkeye State with 22 percent. Gingrich placed second with 18 percent -- ahead of former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts who placed third with 15 percent. 

“A poll of likely Iowa caucus-goers this week has Newt surging ahead of Mitt Romney by 3 points,” Krull wrote. “This is especially important news because the media forces that are terrified of this campaign have been saying that while Speaker Gingrich has steadily risen in the national polls, it didn’t matter because he remained behind in the early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.”

Krull also pointed to polls in other states, including South Carolina, which show Gingrich is picking up momentum. “With less than 60 days until the first votes are cast, the path to victory is clear,” added Krull. “We know that we can count on Newt to win voters with masterful debate performances and substantive speeches ... we need to build strong campaign organizations in each of the early primary states to capitalize on Newt’s winning message.”

The Gingrich campaign also is focusing on fundraising, trying to raise $1 million in the next week. On Wednesday, Krull claimed that the campaign had brought in $300,000 already this week.

Gingrich is doing a media blitz this week and plans to hit some of the crucial early states later in November, including Florida which is set to vote fourth, after Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Next Thursday, the former congressional leader will be in Jacksonville to speak to the First Coast Tea Party. He’ll be back in the Sunshine State on Saturday, Nov. 26, for a book signing in Naples. Gingrich is also scheduled to make campaign swings in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina later in November.

A poll released on Wednesday from Rasmussen Reports found that Gingrich was making strides in the Sunshine State. Despite allegations of sexual harassment, Cain continues to lead in the Sunshine State with 30 percent. Romney stands in second with 24 percent. Gingrich comes in third place with 19 percent, his best showing in a Florida poll to date. None of the other candidates in the race breaks double digits. The poll of 788 likely Florida Republican primary voters was conducted on Tuesday and had a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.

Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.