Authors: Jeanette Torres
Jessica McGowan/Getty Images(DES MOINES, Iowa) -- “It’s good to have some old friends come back,” R.C. Hammond, spokesperson for the Newt Gingrich campaign, told ABC News about the return of two former Iowa staff members.
The shifting political winds have blown two former campaign staffers back to the Gingrich campaign, which has seen a large uptick in the polls, putting Gingrich in the top three for the Republican presidential nomination. The campaign has also increased drastically in fundraising in recent months, which was once $1 million in debt.
Hammond said the campaign has raised a total of $4 million in the fourth quarter so far.
The returning staff members are Craig Schoenfeld and Katie Koberg, who left the campaign in June among the mass exodus of two national advisers and several other Iowa staff members.
“What you’ve seen over the past six months is Newt establish himself as the smartest candidate, capable of leading, an increase in fundraising, showing he’s able to run a national campaign and growth of staff and grassroots efforts in several states where he’ll be able to compete in each contest,” Hammond said.
The campaign said they’re seeing tremendous support in Iowa with Linda Upmeyer as Gingrich’s caucus chair. There will be other staffing announcements soon.
Last week, Gingrich opened up his campaign offices in Manchester, N.H., and Greenville, S.C.
Gingrich returns on Saturday to Iowa, where he will take part in the Family Leader’s Thanksgiving Family Forum in Des Moines.
The Iowa Caucus will take place on Jan. 3.
Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio
