Santorum heading to Iowa to speak to past supporters

Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) isn't wasting any time in heading back to Iowa.

Santorum will swing by the state that launched his surprisingly strong 2012 presidential campaign in April. He'll speak at the annual dinner for the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition, a group of social conservatives that mostly rallied to him last time around.

"We are excited to inform you that Sen. Rick Santorum will be our keynote speaker. As you know, Sen. Santorum won the 2012 Iowa Precinct Caucuses and remains a popular figure here in Iowa and nationally," Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition President Steve Scheffler said in a statement on the group's website. "He is recognized as one of the nation's strongest and most unabashed leaders on behalf of the pro-life, pro-marriage agenda."

Scheffler, a Republican National Committee member, was a Ron Paul backer four years ago — but many others involved in the group were strong Santorum supporters.

The former senator is said to be seriously interested in another bid for president, and support from some leaders of the socially conservative group would be key to any hope he has of repeating his past success.

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