Presidential Candidates For April 24 Primary Ballot Set

A press release from Secretary of the State Denise Merrill:

A press release from Secretary of the State Denise Merrill Friday joined Connecticut Republican Party Chairman Jerry Labriola for a news conference at the State Capitol to announce the names of the presidential candidates who have qualified for the ballot in Connecticut’s presidential preference primary on April 24, 2012. 

Today also marks the first day that primary petitions become available for presidential candidates not selected for the ballot by Secretary Merrill, pursuant to her statutory authority under Connecticut General Statutes 9-465.

“We are getting closer to a very exciting decision for Connecticut voters – who do they want to run for President for the Republican and Democratic nomination,” said Secretary Merrill, Connecticut’s chief elections official. “Voters will have an important choice to make when they go to the polls in April so I encourage all voters to start educating themselves about the candidates now."

“The Republican presidential primary campaign continues to be a wide open, extremely competitive race and that means a lot will be at stake on primary day in Connecticut," State GOP Chair Jerry Labriola said. "This is a great opportunity for our geographically small state to be a big player on the national stage and I want to encourage voters to get out and vote, go out and get registered, and make your voices heard. I look forward to the Republican National Convention in August when I will lead an energetic and excited delegation that will nominate the 2012 Republican candidate for President."

The following Republican candidates will have their names on the ballot (order will be randomly selected in March):

• Newt Gingrich
• Mitt Romney
• Rick Santorum
• Ron Paul

President Barack Obama’s name was also selected as qualifying for the April 24th ballot, though there will not be a Democratic Presidential Preference Primary in Connecticut if no other candidates qualify for the ballot through the petition process.