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Washington • Jon Huntsman is moving his campaign headquarters to Manchester, N.H., part of a strategy that places all of his presidential hopes on pulling an upset in the nation's first primary.
Huntsman, Utah's former governor, had originally set up his campaign in Orlando, Fla., and had planned a three-state strategy focused on New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida when he announced his candidacy in June, but he has found it hard to gain traction nationally and his fundraising has dwindled.
His campaign says he will retain offices in South Carolina and Florida, though the senior leadership team, including chief strategist John Weaver and campaign manager Matt David, are headed to Manchester.
"As evidenced by recent polling, Jon Huntsman's support with New Hampshire voters continues to grow every day and this move will ensure that we have the resources necessary to win the first in the nation primary," David said in announcing the move. "Success in New Hampshire is vital for our campaign to have the momentum we need to succeed in South Carolina, Florida, and the states that follow."
Meanwhile, Greg Hartley, Huntsman's deputy political director, is returning to Utah where he said he will continue to advise the campaign in an unpaid role.
"Like any campaign, you call audibles and shift the strategy and it's time to focus strategy on New Hampshire where there's a great team already in place," he said.
Neil Ashdown, a Utahn who served as deputy campaign manager and had served as Huntsman's top aide when he was governor and U.S. Ambassador to China, also recently returned to Utah where he said he will serve a lower-key advisory role.