NEW: RI Set to Welcome Republican Presidential Candidates
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
It appears all four prominent Republican may now visit Rhode Island ahead of the April 24 primary.
Fresh off the announcement that former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will host an event in Warwick Wednesday, Texas Congressman Ron Paul will also be in the Ocean State for an event at the University of Rhode Island next week.
Last week, GoLocalProv first reported that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was planning a visit to Rhode Island. Dave Talan, Corresponding Secretary for the State GOP, has also said former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum was like to make an appearance in the state.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe increased interest in the Ocean State suggests legislation passed last year to move the primary from the first Tuesday of March to the last Tuesday of April has been successful.
Last year, State Rep. Donald Lally, who sponsored the bill in the House, predicted the change would attract more candidates to the state.
“We may be the smallest state, but we love our politics,” Lally said. “Being small, it’s tough for Rhode Island to attract much attention from presidential candidates. But if we hold our primary at the same time as a few other nearby states, candidates are more likely to make arrangements to swing through the region and visit us while they’re near. It will give Rhode Island voters more of a chance to be a part of the national political stage. ”
