GOP power broker Cindy Costa

Updated 2327 GMT (0727 HKT) January 19, 2012

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Cindy Costa, a South Carolina Republican activist who says she's motivated largely by her evangelical faith, has endorsed Mitt Romney for president. Here the two attend a 2008 fundraiser. Costa's political career has evolved from a rebel who once backed Pat Robertson for president in 1988 to a GOP establishment insider.

Photos: GOP power broker Cindy Costa

Evangelical activist's political scrapbook – Cindy Costa, a South Carolina Republican activist who says she's motivated largely by her evangelical faith, has endorsed Mitt Romney for president. Here the two attend a 2008 fundraiser. Costa's political career has evolved from a rebel who once backed Pat Robertson for president in 1988 to a GOP establishment insider.

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Costa and her husband, Louis, right, attend a Christian Coalition reception at televangelist Pat Robertson's home in fall 1992. Costa helped launch the coalition's South Carolina chapter.

Photos: GOP power broker Cindy Costa

Evangelical activist's political scrapbook – Costa and her husband, Louis, right, attend a Christian Coalition reception at televangelist Pat Robertson's home in fall 1992. Costa helped launch the coalition's South Carolina chapter.

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Photos: GOP power broker Cindy Costa

Evangelical activist's political scrapbook – Costa appears with President George H.W. Bush at the fall 1992 reception at Robertson's home.

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Costa holds a "Knock 'Em Flat Pat" sign during Robertson's address to the 1992 Republican National Convention in Houston.

Photos: GOP power broker Cindy Costa

Evangelical activist's political scrapbook – Costa holds a "Knock 'Em Flat Pat" sign during Robertson's address to the 1992 Republican National Convention in Houston.

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Costa, right, and Ann Romney crisscrossed South Carolina on a bus tour during the 2008 primary in that state. "Relationships are a powerful thing," Costa says of the time she spent campaigning with the candidate's wife.

Photos: GOP power broker Cindy Costa

Evangelical activist's political scrapbook – Costa, right, and Ann Romney crisscrossed South Carolina on a bus tour during the 2008 primary in that state. "Relationships are a powerful thing," Costa says of the time she spent campaigning with the candidate's wife.

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Costa, right, chats after the Myrtle Beach prayer breakfast in January. For 15 years, Costa has served on the 150-member Republican National Committee, the party's governing body.

Photos: GOP power broker Cindy Costa

Evangelical activist's political scrapbook – Costa, right, chats after the Myrtle Beach prayer breakfast in January. For 15 years, Costa has served on the 150-member Republican National Committee, the party's governing body.

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