Santorum's allies expanded their television presence in Michigan on Friday as well, raising the stakes for the looming contest in Romney's home state.
The pro-Santorum Red, White and Blue Fund political action committee disclosed to campaign regulators on Friday that it had purchased $668,500 in Michigan TV ad time. The group also spent about $135,000 on mail supportive of Santorum to the state's Republican voters.
Despite being outspent so far, Santorum leads various recent polls in Michigan and Ohio.
Asked about the apparent shift, Sununu noted that Romney is holding a substantial delegate lead.
"This is a long slog," he said. "It's not going to be decided early. Nothing's changed in terms of strategy or tactics as we move forward."
Michigan-based Republican operative Jeff Timmer, a former state GOP executive director, is among those who doubt Santorum's staying power.
"Santorum really hasn't gone through much of a public vetting process outside of Iowa," he said. "There will be a reality check. But I don't expect that he will go away."
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Associated Press writer Brian Bakst in Minnesota contributed to this report.
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