After winning in New Hampshire last night, a spokesperson for Mitt Romney’s camp told FLDemocracy that they are looking forward to a vigorous campaign in Florida, where they have a strong organization.  “Voters in New Hampshire overwhelming selected Governor Romney as their choice for the Republican nomination because they know that he is the only candidate who can fix our economy and create jobs,”  Romney spokesperson Ryan Williams said. “Momentum and excitement for our campaign is building and we look forward to competing vigorously in Florida and across the country.”

Romney, whose campaign is up in Florida’s 10 media markets with a new Spanish language ad, will stop in Palm Beach tomorrow to attend a $2500-per-person fundraiser.  He will also hold an afternoon rally at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach.

Ron Paul’s strong second-place showing has his campaign downplaying previous reports they will bypass Florida. “Ron Paul supporters throughout Florida are energized to reach voters for our January 31st primary. There is an aggressive canvassing effort underway,” Paul’s Florida coordinator Hector Roos told FLDemocracy today. “‘Most people in Florida still do not know Ron Paul that well so we mean to give a thorough introduction to him and his ideas to Florida Republicans. We know that once they hear his ideas they will say  ‘that makes sense’  and agree to cast their votes for him.”

Meanwhile, Jon Huntsman and his supporters contended that last night’s third place finish is strong enough to help Huntsman in South Carolina and Florida. Huntsman announced last week that he will hold two fundraising receptions in Florida at the end of this month. He will hold a finance reception in Palm Beach on Jan. 22 and a finance breakfast in Hobe Sound on Jan. 23.

But the operation with the biggest post-New Hampshire presence in Florida, may not be a campaign at all. The super PAC supporting Romney’s campaign yesterday increased its ad buy in Florida by $3.6 million, a source confirmed to FL Democracy. The Restore Our Future PAC also sent out mailers this week accusing Newt Gingrich of backing legislation “that provided tax-payer funded abortions.”

Update: “Post on Politics” reports, Newt Gingrich will visit South Florida tomorrow night for a fundraiser in Miami. Gingrich also plans a public “grass-roots” event in Miami early Friday morning, followed by a midday appearance in Orlando for the opening of his Florida headquarters.

–Nora McAlvanah

Tags | Hector Roos, Jon Huntsman, Mitt Romney, Nore McAlvanah, Ron Paul, Ryan Williams