Perry, Romney send their wives out on the campaign trail

{mosads}Texas first lady Anita Perry is in Iowa Tuesday to participate in the grand opening of husband Rick Perry’s Des Moines campaign headquarters. She is also scheduled to appear at two fundraising events during the evening, and a GOP meet-and-greet on Wednesday morning, according to the Des Moines Register.

The Texas governor visited Iowa shortly after he announced his presidential bid in South Carolina, but his wife has kept a low profile so far in his campaign — aside from numerous references made by her husband, who credited her with encouraging him to enter the race.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s wife, Ann, plans to attend two GOP events in South Carolina on Thursday, according to the campaign, and then will also pop up in Iowa next week. Ann Romney plans to fundraise for Iowa politician and Romney backer Chad Airhart.

It is Ann Romney’s first appearance in Iowa since her husband’s 2008 presidential campaign, as noted by the Register, but she has taken a more public role in her husband’s campaign this time around.

Romney’s eldest son, Tagg, told The Associated Press his mother “helps to humanize” Romney, making her “a good weapon” for the campaign. Anita Perry, a nurse and public health advocate whom Perry has called “most beautiful” and “thoughtful,” can likely do the same on her husband’s behalf.