WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, has recruited a former Miss America and a former U.S. Senate candidate to join his presidential exploratory committee.

Former U.S. Senate candidate Jerry Zandstra of Michigan and former Miss America 2001 Angela Perez Baraquio of Hawaii will help communicate Brownback's platform in their respective states, the senator's exploratory committee announced Thursday.

Zandstra, an ordained pastor in the Christian Reformed Church, sought the GOP Senate nomination in Michigan this year, but failed to make the primary ballot after collecting too few of the required valid signatures.

Baraquio is a teacher and chose character education as her main advocacy issue when she was crowned Miss America. She says she is drawn to the senator's strong opposition to abortion rights.

"As a Catholic, I am proud to support this wonderful man who believes in the sanctity of every human life," Baraquio said.

Brownback, who established his exploratory committee less than two weeks ago, has said he will officially decide on a presidential run after the new year.