Now it's Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's turn.
Walker announced on Tuesday he had formed a federal 527 political committee to boost him in a possible 2016 run for the Republican presidential nomination. The tax-exempt group, Our American Revival, was established Jan. 16.
On Monday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) and his backers unveiled a federal political committee called Leadership Matters for America, an official step toward launching a presidential campaign.
The groups will allow Christie and Walker to finance travel to early nominating states, hire staff that can form the nucleus of a presidential campaign, and raise money from donors.
Both are positioning themselves as conservative governors who have shown how Republicans can win and succeed in blue states.
"To move this country forward we need new, fresh leadership from outside Washington," Walker said in a statement. "We need leaders who are bold. That's how we build a better future for our children and grandchildren. We've done it in Wisconsin and it can be done across this country with the right leadership."
That was the theme of Walker's well-received speech at the Freedom Summit of conservative activists, hosted by Rep. Steve King (R.,Iowa) and Citizens United last Saturday in Des Moines. He talked about policies he pushed that limited the collective bargaining power of public-employee unions in Wisconsin – and survived a recall election in 2012 before winning a second term in November.
Rick Wiley, a former Republican National Committee political director, will run Our American Renewal, and is expected to manage Walker's eventual presidential campaign. A 527 committee can raise unlimited money but must disclose donors.