Governors Pawlenty, Keating to Serve as National Co-Chairs

Contact: Press Office, 703-650-5550; www.JohnMcCain.com

ARLINGTON, Va., August 21 /Standard Newswire/ -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced the National Steering Committee of the Sportsmen for McCain coalition. These leaders in the angling, hunting and shooting communities are working across the country to emphasize John McCain's dedication to protecting American's right to gun ownership and his commitment to preserving and promoting our hunting, angling and shooting traditions.

John McCain said, "I am proud to have the support of these national and state leaders within the sportsmen's community and know that their support is integral to my bid to become your next president. It would be an honor to serve as your president and carry on the guiding principles of Theodore Roosevelt, America's foremost conservation president."

"John McCain has been a leader and a friend to sportsmen and gun owners for over 25 years," said National Sportsmen for McCain Co-Chair Governor Tim Pawlenty. "Sportsmen should know John McCain understands our community and will fight to protect and promote the sportsmen's agenda."

National Sportsmen for McCain Co-Chair, former Governor Frank Keating added, "While the choice for sportsmen is clear, we are going to continue to share that message with our friends at the range, on the lake and in the woods to ensure our fellow angler, conservationist, and friend John McCain is elected as our next president."

For more information about Sportsmen for McCain please visit, http://Sportsmen.JohnMcCain.com

SPORTSMEN FOR MCCAIN NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE

Co-Chairs
Governor Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota
Former Governor Frank Keating, Oklahoma
Jim Baker, Virginia

Steering Committee Members
Herb Atkinson, New Mexico
Tom Baker, Kentucky
Jerod Broadfoot, Oregon
David Bub, Missouri
Mike Budzik, Ohio
Tony Caligiuri, President - Boyt Harness Company
Robert Cartlidge, President The Bass Federation
Charlie Evans, President FLW Outdoors
Joseph Fitzsimmons, Texas
Sandra Froman, Past President National Rifle Association
Capitan Dave Funk, President Safari Club International Iowa Chapter
Congressman Sam Graves, Missouri
Nicholas Haden, Pennsylvania
Christine Jourdain, Executive Director American Council of Snowmobile Associations
Rob Keck, Former CEO of the National Wild Turkey Federation
Tim Kessler, South Dakota
Congressman Bob Latta, Ohio
Delegate Scott Lingamfelter, Virginia
Chris Mackenzie, Nevada
Senator Michelle McManus, Michigan
Chris Merritt, General Manager Beretta USA
Robert Model, Past President Boone & Crockett Club
Matt Morgan, Missouri
Don Peay, Founder Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife
Congressman Adam Putnam, Florida
Jim Range, Washington, D.C.
Captain Jim Wa rner, United State Marine Corp, Retired