Two of the leading candidates for the Republican presidential nomination -- former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas -- added to their teams in New Hampshire on Thursday. Romney has led the polls in the Granite State, which holds the nation’s first presidential primary, though both Paul and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich are running strong out in Iowa and hope a strong showing there will help them in New Hampshire.  

Romney announced on Thursday that 10 New Hampshire state representatives endorsed him -- giving him a grand total of 58.

“I am honored to have earned the support of these fiscally responsible New Hampshire state legislators," said Romney in a statement. “Their endorsements show that our campaign is continuing to gain momentum in the final weeks before the primary.”

“Governor Romney has the executive experience and skills that are needed to defeat President Obama and turn around our economy. He is clearly the strongest Republican candidate and the most qualified person to lead our party in 2012,” said Deputy Majority Leader Shawn Jasper, R-Hudson. “Mitt is running the type of traditional New Hampshire campaign that Granite Staters expect from presidential candidates. He is taking nothing for granted and working hard to earn every vote. I am proud to support Governor Romney and his campaign to cut spending, lower taxes and create jobs.”

Other New Hampshire state representatives backing Romney on Thursday were John Byrnes, R-Swanzey; Chris Christensen, R-Merrimack; Jim Devine, R-Sandown; Larry Emerton, R-Goffstown; Donald Flanders, R-Laconia; Jane Johnson, R-Swanzey; Betsy McKinney, R-Londonderry;  Dennis Reed, R-Franklin; and Frank Tilton, R-Laconia.
 
Two of their colleagues in the New Hampshire Legislature -- Kevin Reichard, R-Derry, and Kathy Souza, R-Manchester, endorsed Paul on Thursday. Reichard had been a supporter of businessman Herman Cain, who pulled out of the race on Saturday.

“Ron Paul is the only fiscal conservative in the race, and he is the only candidate who is talking about the deficits, and that’s why I’m joining my other state representative in endorsing him,” said Reichard.

“Our country is facing enormous challenges, and we need a candidate who is straightforward and direct with the American people,” said Souza. “Ron Paul is that candidate, and he always gives plain, honest answers.”

The Paul team also had Iowa on their mind on Thursday when they announced that their candidate, who placed in a strong second behind U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota in the Iowa Republican straw poll in August, will be making a whirlwind tour of eastern Iowa later in the month. Paul will be holding eight town hall meetings on Dec. 21 and 22.

“The Iowa team is pleased to welcome Ron Paul for another set of town hall meetings where he will give voters straightforward answers to questions concerning America’s pressing challenges,” said Drew Ivers, Paul’s campaign chairman in Iowa, on Thursday. “If past is prologue, voters will leave these gatherings knowing that Dr. Paul makes every effort to be engaging, informative, and uncommonly candid.”

Paul is in Iowa this week, making campaign stops, before a debate scheduled for Saturday night.

 

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