Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney is returning to Northern Virginia, home to plenty of rich donors but probably not the voters who will determine the GOP nominee.
Romney will speak Feb. 10 before the Northern Virginia Technology Council and Consumer Electronics Association at the Hyatt Regency in Reston to discuss the role of technology and innovation in igniting the U.S. economy. The former Massachusetts governor held a high-end fundraiser in Richmond in December expected to bring in $350,000, and spent another two days in the commonwealth last year.
The timing of Romney’s visit is curious because, as just one of two presidential candidates on Virginia’s primary ballot, he is all but guaranteed a large share of Virginia’s 49 convention delegates. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas is the only other candidate qualified for the March 6 primary and a federal judge ruled last week that other candidates who failed to meet state ballot requirements will not be added.
Virginia will, however, be a major factor in the general election, when President Obama is relying heavily on the state’s support, which he won in 2008.
Romney’s appearance is part of an ongoing series hosted by the two groups. They previously brought in former Godfather’s Pizza executive Herman Cain to speak just as the disgraced GOP candidate’s campaign became marred with revelations about past sexual harassment allegations.
The two groups also asked Obama, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Gov. Rick Perry to participate in similar events.
