Pawlenty Iowa backers head to Romney

Some of Tim Pawlenty’s former Iowa supporters have found a home with Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign.

Iowa Rep. Linda Miller of Bettendorf and  Dallas County Recorder Chad Airhart of Waukee have both joined Romney’s leadership team, according to the Iowa Independent.

“Mitt Romney is the candidate we need to put this country back on the right track,” said Miller. “As governor, he balanced the budget and created jobs without raising taxes. He knows what is needed to get the economy moving again and has the private sector and government experience to do just that.”

Pawlenty dropped out of the race following a dismal showing in the Iowa Straw Poll on Aug. 13. Iowapolitics.com reported that some Pawlenty’s supporters were being pursued by other campaigns within a day of his withdrawal from the race.

Pawlenty repeatedly used Romney’s support for Massachusetts healthcare reform as a punchline during the campaign, calling it “Obamney-care,” although he declined to repeat the charge in a face-to-face June debate.

The Star Tribune reported that former U.S. Rep. Vin Weber of Minnesota has also thrown his weight behind Romney, perhaps giving Romney some sway over Minnesota Republicans, who overwhelmingly supported Pawlenty financially over other candidates, according to Federal Election Commission records.