Santorum to campaign for District 1 Republicans

Former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Rick Santorum is heading to Cape May County on Tuesday to stump for Republican Assembly candidates Michael Donohue and John McCann.

The candidates struck a socially conservative tone in announcing Santorum’s visit.

“For sixteen years, Rick Santorum was a champion of the conservative cause in the Congress,” said Donohue in a statement. “Whether the issue was defending traditional marriage, or fighting for tax cuts for middle class families, or working to protect America against the threat of radical Islamic terrorism, Rick Santorum was always on the front lines. We’re thrilled that he’s able to join us next week to help us reach out to more voters in South Jersey.”

A public rally is scheduled for Tuesday at 5:00pm at Cape May County Park in Cape May Court House, as well as several fundraising events.  

McCann called Santorum a “champion for ending the barbaric practice of partial birth abortion, and he’s a leader in the movement to make our entertainment culture more family-friendly.”

Santorum served two terms in the Senate before being defeated by Democrat Bob Casey, Jr. in the 2006 anti-Republican wave.

Donohue and McCann are running in the 1st District, which is tends to lean Republican but is represented by three moderate Democrats: state Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Dennis) and Assemblymen Matt Milam (D-Vineland) and Nelson Albano (D-Vineland).  

Republican gubernatorial nominee Chris Christie is not scheduled to appear with Santorum.  

“We don’t have any plans to invite him,” said the Republicans’ spokesman, Bill Pascoe.  “We’ve already had Chris Christie into the district a couple times and we’re sure we’ll have him back.”

Governor Corzine has attempted to make the conservative label stick to Christie since the primary, which an appearance with Santorum would aid.