Santorum announces formation of Iowa PAC

Former Pa. Senator Rick Santorum (R) announced Thursday  he has formed a political action committee in Iowa to donate "at least $25,000 to candidates before November."

The organization, to be known as the Iowa Keystone Political Action Committee, comes in addition to his federal PAC, "America's Foundation."

"I am eager to do more and the Iowa Keystone PAC will help us do that," Santorum said in a statement. "There are many strong conservatives running in Iowa and assisting them with financial support may help put them in the victory column come Election Day."

The announcement also noted he will appear in Iowa on Oct. 13 and 14 — his sixth trip to the state in recent months.

The former two-term senator, who subscribes to what he calls "compassionate conservatism," has said he is considering a run for president in 2012.

A poll conducted in mid-September at the annual Values Voters Summit ranked him sixth behind Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), former Govs. Mike Huckabee (R-Ark.), Mitt Romney (R-Mass.), Sarah Palin (R-Ala.) and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.