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Mitt Romney's five sons: What's their role in the campaign?

There’s no “Five Brothers Bus" (a.k.a. "Mitt Mobile”) or Five Brothers blog, like there was in 2008, but Mitt Romney’s five sons – Tagg, Matt, Josh, Ben, and Craig – still play a key role in the presidential campaign. Mitt Romney has been called mechanical and awkward, but his sons provide a different perspective of Romney: as hero father.

The Romney brothers are accomplished men in their own right: One runs a private equity firm, three work in real estate development, and one is a doctor. They are taking time away from their own families (there are 18 Romney grandchildren) to tell Americans about their father's warmer side, which includes pranks, Saturday morning chores, and being a doting grandfather.

Here's a quick look at the Romney Five and what each brings to the campaign.

AP/Courtesy of Romney family
This 1982 photo provided by the Romney for President Inc. shows the Romney family during summer vacation. From left are Mitt, Tagg, Ben, Matt, Craig, Ann, and Josh Romney.

1. Craig Romney

J. Scott Applewhite/AP/File
Craig Romney, son of Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Aug. 30.

Fluent in Spanish, the youngest Romney brother plays an instrumental role in Romney’s attempt to reach Latino voters.

At the Republic National Convention, Craig gave a speech hailing the rise of Hispanic leaders in the GOP: “These leaders, along with Hispanics across the country, will play a vital role in the Romney-Ryan comeback, as we fight to put America back on the path to prosperity.”

Craig appears in Spanish-language campaign ads, meets with Latino business owners, and goes door-to-door to talk with voters in swing states, especially those with large Latino populations like Florida, Nevada, and Colorado.

He also defends Mitt’s hair and corny jokes: On the campaign trail in New Hampshire, Craig told the Boston Herald that “30 Rock” character Jack Donaghy (played by Alec Baldwin) modeled his hair after Mitt's.

Craig, who works in real estate, lives in San Diego, Calif., with his wife, Mary, and their two sons. They recently moved from New York, where Craig worked as an advertising music producer at McGarryBowen. He received his master’s degree in real estate development from Columbia University in New York. Craig learned Spanish while on his Mormon missionary trip in Chile.

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

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