Romney Eyes Campaign Stop in Dunedin

The GOP presidential primary buzz may be hitting close to home on Monday.

Dunedin Chamber of Commerce members received an email late Friday from its president that a Republican primary candidate may be planning a campaign stop in on Monday afternoon.

Mitt Romney's campaign rented the space for a possible public appearance Monday (Jan. 30) at 2 p.m., according to an email blast from Lynn Wargo, chamber president, to members. Wargo wrote that she passed the information along to merchants at the behest of City Manager Rob DiSpirito, who wanted downtown merchants to be prepared for large crowds that day.

"Expect a lot of people in the downtown area," Wargo wrote. 

Romney's official website did not list Dunedin among his planned visits in Florida as of Friday at 8:32 p.m.

A call to Mayor Dave Eggers was not immediately returned late Friday.

Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, is one of four major players vying for a Republican party bid for the presidential candidacy. All major polls put Romney ahead of hopefuls Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul in the Florida GOP primary, according to Politico. 

Campaign staff is expected to begin setting up in the park early Monday, and no road closures have yet been planned, Wargo wrote. 

"Hopefully this will be a very positive experience for all," Wargo wrote. "We’ll get some national coverage, which is always a good thing for our community."

Barack Obama also made an appearance at Grant Field, now Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, as part of his 2008 presidental campaign.

Polls for the GOP presidental preference primary open to Florida's registered Republicans Tuesday at 7 a.m.