There appears to be more good news on the economic front for the Obama administration as today’s ADP National Employment Report cites a 325,000 jobs gain in December 2011. With the presidential campaign now in full swing, and the economy and job growth as core issues, the administration will see today’s numbers as evidence of an uptick in the recovery. The ADP report precedes tomorrow’s official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Employment Situation Summary that tracks the nation’s employment picture. The increase in jobs reported by ADP is the largest monthly gain since December 2010.

While some of December’s gain is likely attributable to seasonal hiring in connection with the Christmas holiday, the jump is still twice the average monthly gain since May. Much of the gain (273,000) came in the service sector but employment in the goods producing sector increased by 52,000, with manufacturing employment gaining 22,000 jobs. The construction sector increase by 26,000.

The largest increase in payrolls came among small businesses; as firms with up to 49 workers added 148,000. Medium sized businesses, those with between 50 and 499 workers gained 140,000 jobs. The smallest increase was among large companies, those with more than 500 employees, increased their payrolls by 37,000 workers last month.

The U.S. Department of Labor is scheduled to release tomorrow’s Bureau of Labor Statistics data at 8:30 am.