By Chris Potter and Rich Lord, Jun. 1, 2015,  Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum launched a new presidential bid in Butler County last week, hoping to recapture the grassroots support he enjoyed during his 2012 campaign. But many of those who rallied to his cause three years ago have been backing him ever since — whether they’ve known it or not.

According to campaign-finance records, in just over two years, Mr. Santorum’s 2012 election committee earned nearly $281,000 by lending out contact information for his supporters. The money was paid by “data brokers” who repackage such information for other politicians and causes.

“Lots of campaigns do that,” said John Brabender, a longtime political strategist for Mr. Santorum.

“A lot of the folks that ran in 2012, their lists are on the market,” agreed Ryan Meerstein, senior director for Client Strategy for Targeted Victory, a Virginia-based Republican technology firm. In January, the company paid more than $1.1 million to rent list information from Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee.