Staffers who left Gingrich campaign to return

Craig Schoenfeld, who quit as Newt Gingrich's Iowa State Director during the mass exodus of aides back in June, is rejoining the campaign as a senior adviser, Schoenfeld and the campaign confirm. Katie Koberg, who served as Schoenfeld's deputy, is also coming back on board as an advisor.

After leaving the campaign, Schoenfeld for a brief time worked for Americans for Rick Perry, an independent 527 group that supported the Texas Governor's candidacy. Schoenfeld is a longtime Iowa Republican operative who was a senior member of President George W. Bush's 2000 Iowa team.

The rehire marks another milestone in Gingrich's remarkable political comeback. Out of money and low in the polls, Gingrich lost several of his top aides and his entire paid Iowa staff June. Some turned to the Rick Perry campaign, including campaign manager Rob Johnson and senior adviser Dave Carney. Gingrich press secretary RC Hammond said today there are no plans at this time to bring additional aides back into the fold. "The rest have gone on to better lots in life," Hammond said.

A series of strong debate performances and missteps by other candidates have helped the former House Speaker rocket back to the top of recent polls. And the fundraising dollars have followed. Hammond said today the campaign had raised $4 million since October 1st. In the fundraising quarter that ended September 30th, the campaign had reported just over $350,000 cash on hand and $1.2 million in debt. Hammond said the campaign "has every intention of paying off our debt."