Republican operative Jim Merrill, a former top aide for Mitt Romney’s New Hampshire campaigns, has joined U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s political action committee as a senior adviser.

The move sets Merrill up to lead Rubio’s possible presidential efforts in the Northeast and particularly New Hampshire, a key early voting state. Merrill led Romney’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns here and is a sought-after state operative.

Merrill called Rubio “an exceptional leader” who represents the next generation of conservative Republican leadership.

It’s a significant hire for Rubio, who represents Florida and has been sending signals in recent weeks that he’s seriously considering a 2016 campaign.

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie all have New Hampshire operatives working for their political committees.

(AP)