Romney campaign co-chair quits to be lobbyist

SARASOTA, Florida (AFP) - Mitt Romney's campaign co-chairman stepped down on Thursday to take a job as a bank lobbyist amid signs of turmoil and stress in the Republican candidate's run for the United States (US) presidency.

Mr Tim Pawlenty, himself a 2012 White House hopeful before dropping out early when his campaign didn't catch a spark, was the first major Republican rival to endorse Mr Romney.

The former Minnesota governor has been a fixture on Mr Romney's campaign trail, and was seen as a frontrunner to be Mr Romney's vice presidential pick.

Congressman and budget hawk Mr Paul Ryan got the nod instead, and Mr Pawlenty now heads to Washington to serve as chief executive of the Financial Service Roundtable.