Gingrich Campaign Press Release - Newt 2012 Adds Grassroots Staff for South Carolina

Greenville, SC – Joining two long term advisors who recently moved to South Carolina to direct Newt 2012?s First in the South primary bid — Adam Waldeck as State Director and Vince Haley as Policy Director – the campaign has expanded its paid staff to include several veteran activists and tea party leaders.

Adam has worked as the campaign's Coalitions Director and has deep ties into the tea party movement and conservative groups. Haley has been Director of Policy for American Solutions and a Research Director for Gingrich at the American Enterprise Institute.

Assisting in the statewide effort are Ruth Sherlock and Leslie Gaines of Sherlock and Gaines Consulting Group of Greenville. Gaines and Sherlock bring many years of experience in planning, organizing and scheduling in the political arena. Sherlock worked across the country for the Republican National Committee but is best known for helping elect the first Vietnamese American to the U.S. House in 2008. Gaines is well respected in South Carolina for her fundraising success for several presidential and winning statewide candidates and numerous non-profit organizations.

The statewide team will include Regional Directors: Joshua Putnam, the youngest state representative currently serving in South Carolina's legislature who will lead the Upstate; DeLinda Ridings, a well known political operative will represent the Midlands; noted Myrtle Beach tea party leader Gerri McDaniel has also joined the team to help organize grassroots efforts in the Pee Dee region. Chris Horne, another Tea Party veteran, preacher and internet marketing expert will lead the effort in Charleston. Also hailing from the Charleston area is Joanne Jones, Vice Chairman of the Charleston Tea Party, who will organize coalitions for the campaign.

The Newt 2012 statewide headquarters will be located at 700 Woodruff Road, Suite 6 in Greenville. The official opening will be on Saturday, November 12, 2011.

UPDATE: CNN reports that Newt 2012 has the largest staff in South Carolina of any presidential campaign.

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich is building the largest campaign operation to date in South Carolina, hoping to seize conservative tea party support that could help keep his candidacy alive.

After picking up a little steam - and cash - with a number of strong debate performances, the former House Speaker is reviving operations with a nine person-strong staff, the campaign announced on Monday.

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann and Texas Gov. Rick Perry have the second largest footprint with seven staffers each. Just last week, Bachmann brought on five people, including political strategist Wesley Donehue to lead state strategy and communications and assist with new media.

Businessman Herman Cain has four paid staffers in the state; former ambassador and Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman's campaign recently reduced its headcount to three people; former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has the smallest staff with two people on payroll.