Republican presidential hopeful former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum speaks at a Tea Party rally at the Statehouse April 15 in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum has hired two Iowa staffers to assist as he explores a race for Iowa’s leadoff precinct caucuses.

Santorum announced Thursday that Cody Brown will manage his efforts at testing the waters for a caucus campaign. Brown managed Republican Ben Lange’s congressional campaign in the 1st District last year.

In addition, Santorum says Lucas Draisey will serve as field director for the effort. He’s a former chairman of the Iowa Federation of College Republicans.

Santorum has already retained veteran GOP consultants Nick Ryan and Jill Latham to advise him as he ponders a race for the GOP presidential nomination. Santorum has made 11 trips to Iowa, and has another visit scheduled beginning Monday.