Governor Mitt Romney Announces South Carolina Veterans for Romney Chairmen

Friday, Apr 13, 2007

Boston, MA – Governor Mitt Romney today announced that Lieutenant General Claudius "Bud" Elmer Watts III and Brigadier General Thomas R. Mikolajcik will serve as Chairmen of South Carolina Veterans for Romney, a coalition of veterans who will work to expand Governor Romney's base of support in the Palmetto State.

"Generals Watts and Mikolajcik served America with great distinction, and I am honored to have them as part of my South Carolina team," said Governor Romney. "Together, we recognize that our nation is confronting a new generation of global challenges, and we need to invest more in our military and expand our Armed Forces. At the same time, we must always remain steadfast in our commitment to those who have been willing to sacrifice for this great country."

With today's announcement, Lieutenant General Watts said, "Governor Romney understands the nature of the threats facing our nation and will make sure that our men and women in uniform have the very best training and technology to get the job done."

Joining General Watts, Brigadier General Mikolajcik said, "Governor Romney's record on veterans' issues is very strong. He firmly believes that the commitment to our troops doesn't end when their service is finished and that we must take care of those who have sacrificed to protect us. I look forward to telling my fellow veterans in South Carolina of his plans to keep America secure."

Background On South Carolina Veterans For Romney Chairmen:

Lieutenant General Claudius "Bud" Elmer Watts III Served As Comptroller Of The U.S. Air Force And President Of The Citadel. General Watts' Air Force career spanned 31 years during which he served in numerous flying positions, amassing more than 7,000 flying hours and commanding various units up to wing level. He also held numerous staff positions, culminating as Comptroller of the United States Air Force in 1986. General Watts was named the 17th President of The Citadel in 1989 and served in that position until his retirement in 1996.

Brigadier General Thomas R. Mikolajcik Is An Air Force Academy Graduate With 27 Years Of Military Service. General Mikolajcik served in the Air Force as a pilot, staff officer and held numerous command positions. He retired in 1996 as United States Air Force Director of Transportation and is a consultant in logistics and transportation. The General is an adviser to the Metro Chambers Military Relations Policy Council and was awarded the South Carolina Order of the Palmetto in 1994.

Michigan State Representative Fulton Sheen To Lead Families Effort

Friday, Apr 13, 2007

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced that Michigan State Representative Fulton Sheen will serve as Chairman of the Romney for President "Council on Families" for Michigan. Representative Sheen will lead efforts to organize supporters who share Governor Romney's pro-life, pro-family conservative vision.

"Representative Sheen has an impeccable record of service with regard to advancing the pro-family cause in Michigan. He has already been enormously helpful to me in raising issues of significance for Michigan families," said Governor Romney. "I am pleased to have him play such a critical role in my effort."

With today's announcement, Representative Sheen said, "Over the last year, Governor Romney has demonstrated to me that he will be a President who leads on the issues I care most about. His aggressive defense of traditional marriage and his commitment to protecting human life are just two of the reasons I believe in him. He also has a firm grasp of the major issues confronting our nation, including a commitment to stop overspending, to aggressively confront violent Jihadists and to compete – and win – in the world economy."

Background On Representative Fulton Sheen:

Representative Fulton Sheen Represents Allegan County In The Michigan House Of Representatives. He serves on the Tax Policy Committee and is minority vice-chair of the Families and Children's Services Committee. He currently is a member of the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL). He is chair of the Financial Services Committee as well as on the Health, Life Insurance, State and Federal Relations and Executive committees. Representative Sheen is also a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and serves on their Tax and Fiscal Committee.

Representative Sheen is very involved in Christian ministry and heads a faith-based disaster relief group called Isaiah 58:12. He and his wife also mentor young people in his daughter's Zion Colony Christian Outreach Ministry.

Romney For President Announces Story County Leadership Team

Friday, Apr 13, 2007

Boston, MA – Romney for President today announced its Story County Leadership Team, which includes current and former elected officials and long-time Republican Party activists. Story County is the home of Ames, Iowa.

Romney for President makes the announcement the day before Governor Romney visits central Iowa, where he will address the Republican Party of Iowa's Lincoln Day Dinner in Des Moines.

"We have put together a strong team in Story County, one that is motivated to help Governor Romney share his vision for America," said Iowa Campaign Manager Gentry Collins. "This is a talented, experienced group of individuals, and they will be a tremendous help to our Ames efforts."

Kevin Kimle will chair the campaign's efforts in Story County. He has been involved in a number of campaigns at the local, state and national level.

"Governor Romney has a positive, optimistic vision for this country's future, and he will lead with steadfast conviction," said Kimle. "He is a great candidate with a growing grassroots team here and across Iowa, and I look forward to working with his campaign in the coming months."

Also serving on the Story County Leadership Team will be former Senator Stewart Iverson, the former Senate Majority Leader who previously represented the eastern half of the county, Representative Dave Deyoe, Gannon Hendrick as Co-Chair, Mary Mosiman and Rick and Sandy Hoenig.

Romney For President Story County Leadership Team:

Kevin Kimle Has Been Involved In A Number Of Local, State And Federal Campaigns. He is currently President of Decision Commodities, a company that provides agricultural commodity sellers and buyers integrated risk management products. He earned a Master's degree in Economics from Iowa State University, and a B.S. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Former State Senator Stewart Iverson Serves In An Advisory Role To The Romney For President Campaign Team. Iverson served in the Iowa House from 1989-1994, and the Iowa Senate from 1994 to 2006. He was instrumental in securing Republican control of the Senate in the 1996 elections. From 1997-2006, Iverson served as the top-ranking Republican in the Senate. From Dows, in north-central Iowa, Iverson is a leader in the agricultural community, where he managed his own farm and worked with seed companies to market their products to buyers. He has been active in a number of agricultural and civic boards, and was a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. Most recently, Iverson served as a top adviser to Governor George Pataki's 21st Century Freedom PAC.

Representative Dave Deyoe Was Elected To The House In 2006. He runs his family farm, and has previously been actively involved in the Iowa Farm Bureau organization. He represents eastern Story County and portions of nearby Hamilton County.

Gannon Hendrick Recently Served In Iraq For One Year, Where He Was In Charge Of Intelligence Operations For His Battalion. Upon his return from the service, he enrolled at Iowa State University, while also working on his family's farm operation. He now serves as a Warren Township Trustee, following a recent attempt at Story County Supervisor.

Mary Mosiman Is Serving Her Second Term As Story County Auditor And Commissioner Of Elections. She is a graduate of Iowa State University and has CPA certification. Prior to becoming Auditor, she owned and operated a daycare business for five years. Since becoming Auditor, she has won two Innovation Awards from the Iowa State Association of Counties. She participates in the Land Use and Rural Affairs Steering Committee, and the National Association of Counties Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee. Mosiman also serves as the fiscal agent for Iowa's Region One Homeland Security Board.

Rick And Sandy Hoenig Have Been Active In Republican Party Politics For Years. They have been active on a number of campaigns, including U.S. Senator Charles Grassley's campaigns, and Bob Vander Plaats' gubernatorial campaign. Rick is currently the assistant director for Facilities and Management with the Ames Community School District. Sandy is a retired school counselor and currently facilitates classes and retreats on the subject of The Joy of Forgiveness.

Romney For President Takes Part In New Online Initiatives

Friday, Apr 13, 2007

Boston, MA - Romney for President today announced a major new feature of MittRomney.com –"Five Brothers," the Romney campaign blog – and that Governor Mitt Romney is participating in two new online initiatives. These new online tools allow the American people to interact directly with Governor Romney and members of the Romney family.

These innovative, new-media technologies all offer unprecedented opportunities for voters to share their views and ideas with Governor Romney while learning about his vision for meeting the new generation of challenges facing our nation.

The new interactive features include: "Five Brothers," the Romney campaign blog, The You Choose '08 Spotlight on YouTube, and Yahoo! Answers.

"Five Brothers," The Romney Campaign Blog:

Launched this morning by Governor Romney's five sons - Tagg, Ben, Josh, Craig and Matt - "Five Brothers" will feature the brothers' posts, video and photos from the campaign trail. Governor and Mrs. Romney will occasionally contribute as well. Supporters are encouraged to comment, share their thoughts and discuss the campaign.

To view "Five Brothers" and watch Tagg Romney's video introduction, please visit: http://fivebrothers.mittromney.com

You Choose '08 Spotlight On YouTube:

Governor Romney is the first 2008 presidential candidate to participate in the You Choose '08 Spotlight in a completely unprecedented use of video on the web. Rarely do presidential candidates have the chance to communicate with such a large number of voters and directly solicit their ideas and input. Governor Romney is using his week in the spotlight to ask the YouTube community what they believe is the single greatest challenge facing America and what they would do about it. By the end of his spotlighted week, Governor Romney will record additional web videos with his thoughts on the numerous video responses that are already being submitted.

To view Governor Romney's video and post your response, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/mittromney

Yahoo! Answers:

In anticipation of Tax Day, Governor Romney has partnered with Yahoo! to ask the Yahoo! Answers community how they would change the tax code to ease the burden on families and promote growth and innovation. Governor Romney's question, coupled with a video on his tax philosophy, has been featured on the homepage of Yahoo!, the most visited web site on the Internet, and will receive thousands - if not tens of thousands - of answers.

To answer Governor Romney's question and offer your opinion, please visit: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070410092341AAxnl7B