Santorum Reportedly Plans Appearance Sunday in Cumming

Wouldn't you know it -- the leading Republican candidates now have Georgia on their minds.

Rick Santorum, whose quest for the GOP presidential nomination has taken a surge lately, reportedly plans an appearance Sunday in Cumming.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's popular Political Insider blog reported that Santorum will be at First Redeemer Church in Cumming. That report also said that Santorum will have an event in Gwinnett County on Sunday, but had no details. Santorum's website includes no events after Thursday, but it is not uncommon for candidates to schedule such stops on short notice.

Santorum's stops come on the heels of those planned by Newt Gingrich for Saturday in Suwanee and Cumming.

The AJC quoted a prominent Santorum supporter: “Senator Santorum’s message seems to be getting traction with Georgians,” said Tim Echols, chairman of the state Public Service Commission. “We are excited to have him come into Atlanta and speak about his faith and values at First Redeemer Church this Sunday night.”

Major polls show Santorum and Mitt Romney as the front-runners in the quest to oppose President Obama in November. Gingrich is in third place, but is poised to run strong in Georgia when the state holds its primary March 6.

Patch editors Steve Burns and Liz Kennedy contributed to this report.