WICHITA, Kansas (KSN) – With Kansas Republicans set to make their choice for president in less than three weeks, the competition to win their support is heating up in the Sunflower State.Ron Paul’s Wichita supporters promise their candidate will visit the city the night before the March 10th caucus.
And Rick Santorum has opened up an office downtown, the first of the four candidates left in the race to set up shop in Kansas.
“Rick Santorum believes Kansas is a cornerstone for Kansas Republican values in the party and the American people,” said his Kansas director Brandon Rudkin. “He felt it was a need to go ahead and put a campaign headquarters here in Wichita, Kansas.”
Volunteers spend Monday decorating their Market St. office with red, white, and blue bunting along with dozens of Santorum posters.
A grand opening is planned for noon on Saturday where volunteers will give away barbeque.
“The Kansas Caucus is going to be key,” said Rudkin. “All national eyes will be on Kansas on that Saturday.”
Kansas is the first caucus after 11 states hold nominating contents on March 6th. The state’s 40 delegates are a major prize.
It’s equal to the 40 delegates combined of Iowa and New Hampshire.
Other notable states with fewer delegates than Kansas include Michigan’s 30, Colorado’s 36, and South Carolina’s 25. Florida only had 50 delegates this year.
Paul has his eye on the delegates up for grabs in Kansas. His supporters say he’ll visit Wichita’s Century II on March 9th.
“Ron Paul believes in freedom and he has the solutions to America's problems,” said John Axtell. “He predicted the mess we're in. He predicted it a long time ago.”
Paul won 11% of the votes in the 2008 Kansas GOP Caucus. His supporters expect a stronger showing this year.
