Newt Gingrich’s suspended presidential campaign owes two Washington PR firms $179,000, a portion of more than $4M in debt left behind by the White House bid.
The Gingrich campaign in March made a series of staff cuts and outsourced its advance operation to Gordon C. James PR in D.C. It owes the firm $144K after paying $67K in March a balance of more than $211K. according to campaign records.
The campaign also owes $35K to JC Watts Enterprises, the firm of former Rep. J.C. Watts tapped for strategic communications and community relations work.
Newt 2012 April filing shows balance with GCJPR. |
Michael Krull, principal and managing director at GCJPR who is a college friend of Gingrich’s wife, Callista, was campaign coordinator for the Gingrich campaign while Gordon James served as director of advance. Another staffer of the PR Firm, Lisa James, was state director of Arizona for the campaign.
James, in a statement to Fox News, said his firm is working closely with the campaign to resolve the invoices, adding, “We remain supportive of the Gingrich family and are confident that we will receive our final payment.”
The firm previously worked with Gingrich’s fund-raising organization, American Solutions for winning the Future, which shut down after four years last August after going bankrupt.
The Gingrich campaign’s website acknowledges the end of the push but is still soliciting donations. “Thank you but we still need your support,” reads the opening message.