Following Rick Santorum’s visit to an LSU baseball game, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich is scheduled to make an appearance on campus Thursday.
The event is a Tea Party forum and straw poll hosted by the LSU College Republicans, according to Austin Stukins, state grassroots coordinator for Louisiana Team Gingrich 2012. Stukins is an interior design junior at the University.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the event was planned for 8 p.m. in the Cox Auditorium. However, due to scheduling confusion, Baton Rouge Tea Party Treasurer Mark Holmes is working with Associate Director for Student Involvement Michelle Lowery to solidify a location. Holmes said Lowery will book a different venue if the auditorium is unavailable.
Holmes said he is extending the forum and straw poll invitation to the other presidential candidates as well.
If candidates are unable to attend the event, Holmes said he hopes representatives for the candidates will speak on their behalf.
During the straw poll at the Cox Auditorium, Holmes said ballot cards will be distributed during the event to record participants’ responses.
“Anyone can come regardless of party affiliation,” Holmes said. “We’ve got a good shot at filling up the auditorium.”
Holmes said audience members will be able to ask questions to candidates or representatives. Questions may also be submitted online to the BRTP for consideration.
Participants should arrive early and expect some sort of security, Holmes said. He also solicited to other tea parties around the state to get involved in the straw poll. “We’re considering the possibility of having multiple simultaneous events,” he said.
Additionally, Holmes said he is considering creating an online ballot but is concerned about an online ballot’s accuracy.
“We want to be careful about an online ballot and make sure we have control over it,” he said.
On March 10, Gingrich won the state Tea Party caucus in Abita Springs. Ron Paul followed in second place.
 
 
 
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Contact Kate Mabry at [email protected]