A Romney victory lap in Connecticut

BREAKING NEWS:

While Mitt Romney’s scheduled visit to Hartford Wednesday might induce some yawns from political junkies now that the former Massachusetts governor is the presumptive Republican nominee for president, state GOP Chairman Jerry Labriola Jr. said that Rick Santorum’s decision to suspend his campaign Tuesday doesn’t steal the thunder of the upcoming April 24 primary.

“Now that the nominating phase has drawn to its conclusion, we have entered the first inning of the general election contest,” Labriola told Hearst Connecticut Newspapers.

“The vetting process has been healthy. I think it has made our eventual nominee a stronger candidate,” Labriola said.

“We’re very pleased that Governor Romney will be kicking off the general election campaign in Hartford, Connecticut, tomorrow, bringing a positive message of economic freedom, fiscal responsibility and energy independence.”

Labriola is optimistic that the GOP faithful will turn out for the primary, which was moved from Super Tuesday in early March to April 24 this year.

“I urge the Republican base to exercise their right to participate in the process,” Labriola said.

The night before the primary, Ann Romney will be the keynote speaker at the Prescott Bush dinner, the state GOP’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

Neil Vigdor