NASHUA, N.H., Feb. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mike Huckabee announced
Friday that New Hampshire State School Board member Fred Bramante and
former City Chair of the Manchester Republican Committee Cliff Hurst will
serve as the New Hampshire Co-Chairs of his 2008 presidential exploratory
committee.
    "Fred and Cliff have a long history of dedication to the Republican
Party in New Hampshire," Huckabee said today during a lunch for New
Hampshire business leaders in Nashua.
    The former Arkansas governor said: "Cliff and Fred are very
well-respected in the Granite State and across the country for their
commitment to community service. I'm honored to have them on my team."
    Bramante, a two-time GOP gubernatorial candidate, worked on John
McCain's 2000 presidential campaign. Last week, he announced his
endorsement of Huckabee.
    Bramante, the founder of Daddy's Junky Music stores, says he
appreciates Huckabee's passion for education and the role the arts play in
it. "Mike Huckabee understands that in order for America to compete, we
need to have a creative economy and that comes from arts and education,"
Bramante said.
    Hurst served as a civilian clergy in the military in Europe and has
worked in various leadership positions in human resources, sales and
marketing and public relations. He recently sat on the executive board of
the New Hampshire State Republican Party.
    "I first met Mike Huckabee in August of 2005 and I've never known a
person at that level who was so open and had such compassion for people,"
Hurst said.
    "I feel that character matters, and once you get to know Mike Huckabee,
you realize he is truly a man of character."
    Prior to leaving elected office on January 9, Huckabee was the No. 2
most senior governor in the United States. Among his accomplishments in
office, Huckabee reformed the state's health insurance program, reduced
welfare rolls by nearly 50 percent, cut taxes over 90 times, and invested
$1 billion in the states's infrastructure.
    Last year, Time Magazine named him one of the five "Best Governors in
the Nation." His leadership on national Medicaid reform and education were
cited as among the reasons he was named "Public Official of the Year" in
2005 by Governing Magazine. In 2007, he was presented with the Music for
Life Award by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) for his
commitment to music education.
    During his return trip to New Hampshire, Huckabee will meet with
supporters and community leaders in Nashua and Manchester. He is expected
to travel to South Carolina this weekend.
    Paid for by the Huckabee for President Exploratory Committee, Inc.

    CONTACTS:
    Kirsten Fedewa
    Tel: (202) 365-6936

    Alice Stewart
    Tel: (501) 517-2581

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