Politics & Government

Romney Visit Brings Primary Focus on Arbutus

The location makes the southwestern suburb an ideal location for events, political leader says.

Fresh from his March 20 victory in the Illinois primary, Republican front-runner Mitt Romney is headed today to Arbutus for a town hall forum at the Dewey Lowman American Legion Post 109.

Romney is the first Republican presidential candidate in 2012 to visit the state in advance of the April 3 Maryland primary.

His presence underscores the importance of the primary, which offers  GOP candidates the chance to win 37 delegates in a year when every state counts. A win in Maryland might avoid a brokered Republican national convention with former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-PA.

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Initial reports indicated that Romney would make three visits in Maryland, including a morning stop in Annapolis, the 3:30 p.m. town hall in Arbutus and an early evening event in Frederick, MD.

Chris Cavey, a member of the Maryland for Romney steering committee, said that the schedule that had been released was tentative, and the visits to Annapolis and Frederick were never finalized.

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Cavey said that Arbutus is an ideal location for a pivotal appearance by Romney's.

"Arbutus is a good spot-not far from BWI airport, near I-95 and the Beltway," he said. "It's easy to get to. Logistically, it's a great place to be. It's a bonus that it's where Governor Ehrlich hails from."

Native son Robert Ehrlich served as governor from 2003-2007 and ran unsuccessfully against Gov. Martin O'Malley in 2010. He is heading up Romney's Maryland operations.

Former Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) spoke before a crowd of more than 400 at the Dewey Lowman post in February of 2008 during the last presidential primary.

"Arbutus has had two Republican primary candidates visit-McCain last cycle and Romney during this cycle," Cavey said. "Not a lot of places can say that."


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