A prominent Iowa blogger speculates Newt Gingrich might drop out of the 2012 presidential race after the several of the Georgia Republican’s campaign staffers left the organization on Thursday.

Craig Robinson, editor-in-chief of The Iowa Republican blog, wrote a post Thursday titled “Gingrich to End Presidential Campaign?”

Later Thursday, Gingrich issued a statement saying he intends to stay in the race and that “the campaign begins anew” next week.

In addition to top staffers bailing, one of Gingrich’s first prominent supporters in Iowa signaled she might revoke her allegiance.

“As far as my role in the campaign, I am reserving any decisions until I have a chance to visit with the Speaker about his future plans,” Iowa House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer, R-Garner, said in a release.

— Adam B Sullivan