Romney looks to remain relevant in 2014 election cycle and beyond – The Hill’s Ballot Box

Even without his name at the top of the ballot, former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is hoping his coattails will extend through the 2014 election cycle, when he plans to campaign and raise funds for congressional candidates.

Eric Fehrnstrom, a top adviser to Romney’s presidential bid who has remained close to the former Massachusetts governor, said Romney has already received requests from candidates and campaign committees for support.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see him out on the campaign trail. He’s already received a lot of requests to help candidates and party committees, especially on the fundraising side. Even though Mitt has ruled out another run for elective office, he wants to do what he can to help the party grow and become stronger,” he said.

An often controversial figure and occasionally awkward campaigner, Romney may not always give the best stump speech. Some of his more controversial comments in 2012 caused Republicans running in blue states — namely Scott Brown in Massachusetts and Linda McMahon in Connecticut — to distance themselves from the top of the ticket.

At one point in the 2012 cycle, some Republicans fretted that Romney could cost the party seats down-ballot.

But even after a loss, and the months of blame he endured for the GOP’s poor performance in 2012, his star power within the party still remains, as evidenced by the extended standing ovation he received at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference.

via Romney looks to remain relevant in 2014 election cycle and beyond – The Hill’s Ballot Box.