Politics & Government

Former NH GOP Chair Backs Gingrich

Jack Kimball, who had supported Herman Cain, makes his endorsement.

Former New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Jack Kimball told the Union Leader today that he is endorsing Newt Gingrich for president.

Kimball, who had been Herman Cain's Seacoast New Hampshire coordinator, told the Manchester newspaper that he will not take an official role with the Gingrich campaign so he can "speak freely in my support" of the candidate.

When Cain exited the race last week, Kimball had said . But he apparently changed his mind when it became clear that Cain wasn't going to endorse for a while. Two other former Cain staffers in New Hampshire, including spokesman Charlie Spano, also recently joined the Gingrich team.

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Kimball, a Portsmouth businessman, ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2010. He was elected as chairman of the state Republican Party in January, but resigned in September amidst an effort to force him out.


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