GOP candidates firming up plans for La. visits

Leading Republican presidential candidates are beginning to announce plans for appearances and fundraisers in Louisiana in the run-up to the state’s March 24 primary. Republican Party of Louisiana Chairman Roger Villere says Rick Santorum is planning a 7 p.m. rally in Lafayette on Tuesday. The Santorum campaign is planning to hold additional events in Louisiana prior to the primary. Newt Gingrich, meanwhile, is holding a fundraiser in Baton Rouge on March 22. It will cost $1,000 to get you in the door for that event, while the going rate for a photo with Gingrich is $5,000 per couple. The fundraiser will be part of a planned three-day stay in Louisiana for Gingrich, but other events are not yet known. Villere says Mitt Romney is also expected to make campaign stops in Louisiana prior to the primary, though no details on his stops were available today either. Villere says Ron Paul hasn’t confirmed any planned visits so far. Emails to campaign officials with Santorum, Gingrich, Romney and Paul for additional details and comments went unreturned.