Santorum campaigns with Duggar kids

WLUK TV

Updated: Apr 2, 2012 5:55 PM

LITTLE CHUTE — A final campaign push had former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum focused on the blue-collar vote.

Santorum sees himself as more grassroots candidate and he's targeting Northeast Wisconsin's manufacturing base for support.

"I think we run well among conservative voters and more conservative voters tend to live in the more rural areas," said Santorum.

Santorum's campaign on Monday made five stops to still up excitement and get out the vote. The stop at Simon's Specialty Cheese Shop in Little Chute was typical.

At Simon's the candidate conducted a taste test, met with the patrons and even helped to make a grilled cheese sandwich lunch.

"We're resonating with blue collar workers and folks that are struggling to make ends meet. To me I'm very proud of that," explained Santorum.

"I feel honored to have him come to such a small little place in such a small little town," said Cindy Pynenberg, an employee at Simon's.

Pynenberg explained this was the most exciting day at work in her 21 years on the job. After meeting Santorum she says she's voting for him, prior to the visit she says it was "iffy."

Down in the polls and delegate count, not everyone is convinced.

Keith Thon of Kaukauna stopped by after seeing the Santorum bus and police cars parked outside.  He says he remains an undecided voter heading into Tuesday's primary election.

Joining Santorum was his wife Karen and about a dozen of the kids from the Christian conservative Duggar family from the cable reality show "19 Kids and Counting" on TLC.

"We are so excited to be behind the candidate. He's one of the true conservatives," said Jill Duggar.

And while Santorum, in contrast to front-runner Mitt Romney, has relied on volunteer support and a limited budget to get his message out he's optimistic about Wisconsin voters.  And he says staying in the race as long as possible can only benefit the Republican Party.

"If I though prolonging this race was a detrimental thing for our chances to win in the fall I would take a different course," said Santorum.

Santorum also made campaign stops in Shawano, Menasha, Oshkosh and Ripon. He says he'll be taking in the election results from his home in Pennsylvania to see how his efforts faired here in Wisconsin.

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