Santorum brings presidential campaign to Lima

LIMA — Rick Santorum, former congressman and U.S. senator, will bring his quest for the GOP presidential nomination to Allen County just days before the Ohio primary.

Santorum will be the keynote speaker at the Allen County Republican Party's Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner Rally on March 3, county GOP Chairman Keith Cheney confirmed Wednesday. The event will begin at 5 p.m. at the UNOH Event Center in Lima.

Cheney said Santorum called him Friday night seeking to visit the Lima area. Details for his appearance as the dinner speaker were worked out Tuesday night, Cheney said.

“It's great timing,” Cheney said. “It speaks volumes for Allen County and certainly our surrounding west-central Ohio area to have a presidential candidate like Rick Santorum come into our county just three days before election day,”

The primary is March 6.

Tickets for the Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner are $20 each and are available at the Republican Office, 3111 West Elm St. (phone 419-331-5655) or by e-mail at republicans@allencountyohiogop.com.

Cheney encouraged people to get their tickets early.

“I believe it will be a sell-out,” he said. “He is not the type of individual to speak and leave quickly. He is scheduled to spend some time with the attendees. I encourage people to bring their cameras and spend an enjoyable evening with Sen. Santorum and our other Republican candidates.”

Later March 3, Santorum is scheduled to attend a Lincoln Day dinner in Bowling Green. That event, for the 5th Congressional District GOP, starts at 7 p.m.