Key People-Former Speaker Newt Gingrich
Newt 2012  4501 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA  and  3110 Maple Drive, Atlanta, GA 
March 4, 2011 - filed with the IRS to form Newt Exploratory 2012, a 527 political committee (Gingrich announced this testing the waters effort on March 3).
May 11, 2011 - announced his candidacy.
May 2, 2012 - suspended his campaign.

updated May 18, 2012
..for additions, corrections and other changes contact

Newt 2012 went through a number of interations.  Prior to the campaign, Gingrich was involved in a wide array of activities, and it took longer than expected to disentangle himself from them.  The first interation (version 1.0), built up in the period from March to May 2011, imploded when  senior staff resigned en mass on June 9, 2011.  From June through October 2011 ("duct tape edition" version 2.0) the campaign was a very small, low-budget operation sustained by Gingrich's debate performances.  Version 3.0 saw the campaign at full throttle, as many people were brought on in November, the campaign built out its organizations in the early states, and actively competed in primaries through the end of March 2012.  At that point Newt 2012 campaign entered another phase, version 4.0.  Politico's Mike Allen reported on March 27 reported that Michael Krull stepped down as campaign manager the weekend of March 24-25 and that the campaign would lay off about a third of full time staff.  The campaign continued on for another month-plus; it focused on Delaware's April 24 primary and hoped to use a win in the May 8 North Carolina primary to reshape the race.  After the campaign fell short in Delaware Gingrich suspended his campaign on May 2, 2012.

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The campaign that was...

On June 9, 2011, the campaign's senior staff resigned en masse.  (News accounts put the number of staffers/consultants exiting at 16).  The list included campaign manager Rob Johnson, senior advisor Sam Dawson, press secretary and spokesman Rick Tyler, Iowa executive director Craig Schoenfeld, New Hampshire-based strategist Dave Carney, and Katon Dawson in South Carolina; former Gov. Sonny Perdue, a national chair, switched his allegiance to Pawlenty.  Gingrich's campaign had gotten off to a rocky beginning following his announcement on May 11, starting with his remarks about House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan's Medicare proposal on NBC's "Meet the Press," followed by the story of a $500,000 credit line for jewelry with Tiffany & Co..  When Gingrich took off for an already scheduled cruise to the Greek isles some staffers were reportedly infuriated; staff also wanted Gingrich to spend more time on retail campaigning in the key early states.  Gingrich issued a statement, "I am committed to running the substantive, solutions-oriented campaign I set out to run earlier this spring. The campaign begins anew Sunday in Los Angeles." [speech to Republican Jewish Coalition]  A further crippling blow came less than two weeks later when the finance team resigned.  Spokesman R.C. Hammond told the Washington Post that the campaign would proceed, stating, "“We are going to duct-tape together one coalition of Americans after another that believe in his large, bold vision of change.”

Newt 2012 version 1.0

Campaign Manager  Rob Johnson

(reported by Hotline OnCall on May 6, 2011; initially senior political advisor, reported March 23, 2011 by The Statesman)  Senior advisor in Gov. Rick Perry (TX)'s office after managing his 2010 re-election campaign.  Chief of staff to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst (TX); managed Dewhurst's 2002 campaign for Lt. Governor.  Chief of staff to Congressman Jay Dickey (AR).  Bachelor's degrees in political science and public relations from Southern Methodist University, 1996.

Senior Advisor  Sam Dawson

Experience includess partner at Crosslink Strategy Group.  In 2001 he, Terry Nelson and Patrick McCarthy founded DMN Media.  Dawson was a senior consultant to the NRCC in the 2000 cycle; served as NRCC executive director; NRCC political director in the 1990 cycle; and NRCC field director in the 1988 cycle.  He worked with Lee Atwater.  Campaign manager on Carroll Campbell's 1978 campaign for Congress.  Native of Aiken, SC.

Press Secretary and Spokesman  Rick Tyler

Has worked for Gingrich for over ten years.  He is the founding director of Renewing American Leadership, a 501(c)(3) organization which seeks "to preserve America’s Judeo-Christian heritage by defending and promoting the three pillars of American civilization: freedom, faith and free markets." (Gingrich is honorary chairman).  Tyler was a candidate field trainer for GOPAC for 10 years.  Executive director of the Maine Republican Party, 1995-99.  Originally from Hampton, NH.  (twitter)

R.C. Hammond

Previously press secretary at American Solutions.  Communications staffer on John Sununu's 2002 U.S. Senate campaign.  Degree in political communications from the George Washington University, 2002.

Finance Director  Jody Thomas

(left the campaign June 21, 2011)  Has worked as a fundraising consultant since Aug. 2010.  Principal at Sagac Public Affairs, 2002-July 2010.  Director of public liaison at the Office of Personnel Management, 2001-02.  Political and finance director to Rep. J.C. Watts, 1995-2001.  Undergraduate degree from University of Central Oklahoma, 1985.

Finance Consultant Mary Heitman

(left the campaign June 21, 2011)  Finance director at the RNC (announced May 7, 2010, succeeding Rob Bickhart).  A principal at Sagac Public Affairs. Principal at MHeitman Associates, LLC, 2001-08.  Finance director of the Republican Governors Association, 1998-2001.  Deputy finance director of the RNC under Chairman Haley Barbour, 1993-96.  M.S. in higher education, 1981; B.S. in education from Bowling Green State University, 1979.

Legal  Stefan C. Passantino

Head of the Political Law practice at McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP.

National Chairs
Former Gov. Sonny Perdue (GA)

(announced May 24, 2011)  Elected Governor of Georgia in Nov. 2002, the first Republican governor since 1872, and re-elected in 2006.  Elected to the state Senate in 1990 as a Democrat, switched to Republican Party in 1998, and served eleven years before running for governor.  Served on the Houston County Planning and Zoning Board in the 1980s.  Small business owner "concentrating in agribusiness and transportation."  Briefly practiced veterinary medicine in North Carolina.  U.S. Air Force, 1971-74.  Doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Georgia, 1971.

Former U.S. Sen. Zell Miller (GA)

(announced May 24, 2011)  Senior strategic advisor and independent consultant at McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP.  Appointed to the U.S. Senate on July 24, 2000 as a Democrat and elected as a Democrat in Nov. 2000 special election; did not seek election in 2004.  Elected Governor of Georgia in 1990 and re-elected in 1994.  Lieutentant governor of Georgia, 1975-91.   Georgia state Senator.  Undergraduate degree from Young Harris College, 1957; Master's degree from University of Georgia, 1958.  U.S. Marine Corps, 1953-56.  Author of six books.

Iowa

Chair  House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer (R-Garner)

(announced May 13, 2011; endorsed Gingrich during his Jan. 25, 2011 visit; the Iowa Republican and Des Moines Register reported on April 20, 2011 that she is chairing Newt Explore 2012 in Iowa)  First elected in 2002; represents District 12.  A cardiology nurse practitioner and with her husband has a farm near Garner (Hancock County).  B.S. in nursing from the University of Iowa; attended NIACC.  Grew up in Garner on the family farm.  

Executive Director  Craig Schoenfeld

(announced May 13, 2011; reported on the Gingrich team by the Des Moines Register and the Iowa Republican on April 20, 2011)  Attorney at Wasker, Dorr, Wimmer & Marcouiller in West Des Moines; also runs a public affairs consulting firm, C. Robert & Associates, which he established in 1994.  Executive director of George Pataki's 21st Century Freedom State PAC Sept.-Nov. 2006.  Managed Rep. Greg Ganske's 2002 campaign for Senate through late 2001.  Communications director for the Iowa Republican Party.  Political director of Iowa Victory 2000.  Political director of Iowa Victory 2000.  Caucus planning director on Bush's 2000 Iowa caucus campaign (starting Sept. 1999 worked in tandem with the campaign's field operations, preparing county and precinct leaders and supporters for the intricacies of the Iowa caucus process).  Director of communications for the Iowa House Republican Caucus 1999-2000.  Analyst/legal counsel to the House Republican Caucus from 1994-98.  M.A. and J.D. from Drake University, 1994.  B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 1991.  Raised on a farm in Beaver Dam, WI.

Deputy Director  Katie Koberg

(announced May 13, 2011)  Former Vice President of Iowans for Tax Relief; started with the organization in Aug. 2005.  Administrative assistant in the Iowa Senate Majority Leader's Office, 2003-05.  Eastern Iowa field staffer for the Republican Party of Iowa.  Administrative assistant in the Office of Sen. Chuck Grassley, 2000-01.  Graduate of Buena Vista University, 2000; attended University of Iowa, 1996-98.

Senior Policy Advisor on Iowa Issues  House Speaker Pro Tem Jeff Kaufmann (R-Wilton)

Represents the 79th District; first elected in 2004.  Professor at Muscatine Community College; farmer.  Served on the Wilton School Board, 2001-04.  B.A. from the University of Iowa, 1985, M.A. 1990, Ph.D. from the University of Iowa, 2000.

Field 
Ryan Keller

Worked in the Republican Senate Minority Leader's Office in the Iowa Senate.  Political and organizational director on Zaun for Congress, 2010.  General manager at Heart of America, limited service hotel, 2002-08.  Personal and small business banker at Wells Fargo, 1998-2001.  Master's degree from Drake University.  Bachelor's degree from Grand View College.  A.A. from Indian Hills Community College.

Joe Heuertz

Worked on Zaun for Congress, 2010.  Graduate of Drake University, 2010; served as president of Drake University College Republicans.

Daniel Weiser

Previously at Capitol Strategies Group, Inc.  Degree in political science from University of Iowa, 2010.

Paige Thorson (Coalitions/Field)

Legislative clerk in Iowa House of Representatives for several months.  Law clerk at Hartung & Schroeder, 2009-10.  Studied law and earned health law certificate from Drake University Law School, 2008-10.  Degree in political science from Iowa State University, 2008, after starting at Buena Vista University.

former

Grassroots Organizing  Will Rogers

(Politico reported on June 3 that Rogers had quit the campaign that week; he had been announced May 13, 2011 and was first reported on the Gingrich team by the Des Moines Register and the Iowa Republican on April 20, 2011)  Director of government affairs for the Iowa Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association.  Co-chair of the Polk County GOP during the 2010 cycle.  Producer services coordinator for the Iowa Soybean Association, 2005-07.  Managed Congressman Tom Latham's re-election campaign in 2004.  Executive director of the Polk County GOP, 2003.  Worked on Ganske's 2002 U.S. Senate campaign.  Ran a small business for five years.  A field staffer on Greg Ganske's 1994 campaign for Congress.  Degree in political science and rhetoric from Drake University.  Served in the U.S. Army as a part of Desert Shield-Desert Storm.  Born and raised in Des Moines. 

note: the campaign had a total of seven Iowa staff, all of whom resigned.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

David Carney started helping Gingrich with trip planning in the testing the waters phase and is a key player in the campaign.  CEO and president of Norway Hill Associates, Inc. (NHA, Inc.) since 1996.  He has served as the general consultant to Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX)'s campaigns in 2010, 2006, 2002 and 1998.  Senior advisor on Bob Dole's 1995-96 presidential campaign.  Deputy executive director at the NRSC in the 1994 cycle.  National field director and director of political affairs on Bush-Quayle '92; White House political director; worked on George H.W. Bush's 1988 campaign.  Worked on Gov. John H. Sununu's unsuccessful 1980 run for U.S. Senate.  M.P.P. from New England College.

Copyright © 2010, 2011, 2012  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action. All rights reserved.