Rick Santorum visits Green Bay area

WLUK TV

Updated: Mar 24, 2012 9:53 PM

BELLEVUE — Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum made a campaign stop in the Green Bay area Saturday.

His visit to Bellevue marks the first appearance in the area this year by a candidate in the race for the nomination. 

Santorum is making his way through Wisconsin this weekend.

Saturday he attended rallies in Milwaukee, Sheboygan and Bellevue. He ended the evening with a private tour of Lambeau Field and a Louisiana primary election results watch party at Titletown Brewery in Green Bay.

Sunday, Santorum will continue his trek across the state to Fond du Lac. Then he'll head south of Milwaukee to Franksville.

A crowd of a couple hundred supporters welcomed Santorum to the Ravine in Bellevue. The former US Senator from Pennsylvania rallied supporters around what he says is his true conservative record.

"It's a state similar to western Pennsylvania where I grew up. And it's the same kind of values, work ethic, blue collar, heavy manufacturing," said Santorum.

It's a message many who came out to see Santorum say they identify with.

"He represents a lot of the same moral and social issues I've believed my whole life. I'm a devout Catholic and so is Rick, and I appreciate the things he's stood up for,” said Clint Berges, a UW-Green Bay student.

"I'm very concerned about personal liberty in this country, and I feel Santorum is one of the best candidates that support personal liberty," said Arlen Adcock of Green Bay.

Santorum also brought out an Etch-a-Sketch to demonstrate what he said was opponent Mitt Romney's "ever changing" policies. He says his plan for the economy is more focused, including a flat rate income tax, and simplified tax code.

"That's the game plan that we put out there, growing manufacturing, energy," Santorum told FOX 11 News after the rally on Saturday.

The candidate is coming off strong primary wins in the south, including Saturday in Louisiana.  But he trails Romney in total delegates.

Despite those numbers, Santorum is confident his message will hit home with Badger state voters. And, he believes he'll be victorious come primary day.

"Basically it's the heartland of America, and we think we can resonate well here in Wisconsin," he said.

Wisconsin's primary election is Tuesday, April 3rd.

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