GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum backed out of Hillsdale College’s Monday Constitutional Symposium, according to student organizers of the event.
Senior Opinions Editor Elliot Gaiser, Chair of the Constitution Symposium, said the group decided to postpone the symposium after Santorum decided to attend a different event in Michigan. Gaiser made it clear that the event was postponed, and that the team of students was working with Santorum’s campaign, as well as other GOP presidential hopefuls, to reschedule the event.
“Campaigns are fluid and the college has made it clear that we will make one date available,” Gaiser said. “There may be a date that works better for all four campaigns, and we are working to make this important event happen.”
Last week, the coalition of students reached out to all four candidates’ campaigns, ahead of the Feb. 28 Republican Michigan primary. Santorum’s campaign said he would attend the Feb. 20 symposium.
“I am excited to again visit Hillsdale College and have the opportunity to address the important issues facing our nation,” Santorum told The Collegian on Wednesday. “I am excited to share my vision for a brighter America, and the life experiences that have helped shape those positions.”
His visit would have been the second time this academic year that a Republican presidential candidate came to campus, after Herman Cain spoke at Hillsdale in November.