2012 Hopefuls to Celebrate Reagan Centennial
The Illinois Republican Party hopes to host an all-star lineup of potential GOP presidential contenders at a dinner celebrating President Ronald Reagan’s 100th birthday next month.
The fundraising event will be held in Chicago on Feb. 5, the day before the late president’s birthday. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (Ga.) will sign copies of one of his books before the dinner, and former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, Indiana Rep. Mike Pence and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum have confirmed they will attend, according to an invitation to the event. The party also invited Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and South Dakota Sen. John Thune. The 12 Republican Members of the state’s 112th Congressional delegation will be special guests.
Tickets will range in price from $100 (for one pass to hear the speeches) to $20,000 (for a premier table for 10 and 10 private reception tickets with a photo opportunity).
Illinois Republicans held their presidential primary on Feb. 5 for the 2008 presidential election cycle, and they are expected to hold it at about the same time in 2012. The state lost one Electoral College vote in the reapportionment that followed the 2010 census, bringing it down to 20.
President Barack Obama is unlikely to lose in his home state should he seek re-election, as expected.