Santorum Campaign Opens State Headquarters in Waukesha County

As Rick Santorum prepared to address supporters in Milwaukee last weekend, his Wisconsin campaign team was setting up camp at their new state headquarters in Brookfield.

“This area of the state is an important area for volunteers in the Republican nomination,” said Benjamin Hack, deputy director for Santorum’s Wisconsin campaign.

In the back of an office building at 405 N. Calhoun Dr. adorned with several Santorum yard signs, the campaign’s headquarters is spacious and so far sparse, with boxes, telephones and chairs waiting on the floor. The back area is “off limits,” Hack said, but the front area has three open rooms that Hack hopes will soon be bustling with volunteer energy.

Hack said he hopes the office helps bring out “closet supporters” of Santorum.

“This is a grassroots operation. It’s about people sharing with one another why they like Rick Santorum,” Hack said.

Hack said they have already had a strong positive response, with people coming in asking how to get involved. He said there always will be at least one person on staff during the operating hours, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., facilitating phone calls and handing out yard signs. Santorum's Wisconsin campaign also announces events on its Facebook page.

Hack said he thinks Santorum's message will play well in Wisconsin because of his emphasis on manufacturing.

“His 'Made in America' message should resonate well in Wisconsin," Hack said. "Manufacturing is an important part of the Wisconsin economy, and in recent years we’ve seen a decline in manufacturing jobs, especially high paying ones.”

In a poll released Friday by Rasmussen Reports, 46 percent of Wisconsinites likely to vote in the Republican primary favored Mitt Romney, while 33 percent favored Santorum.