Huntley Woman Among Hundreds Intent on Seeing Gingrich

Donna Roche knows whom she is voting for in Tuesday’s Illinois primary, but she’s going to see former House speaker and Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich at a town hall meeting today just to hear his ideas.

“He’s a big figure as former speaker of the House,” she said. “I don’t think I will support him in the primary, but I don’t oppose him.”

Roche, a member of the Huntley Tea Party, is heading to Judson University in Elgin Thursday for a town hall meeting featuring Gingrich, who is campaigning in the area this week.

“He is a historical figure in that he led the Republicans to take over the Congress in 1994 after 40 years in the minority,” she said. “Newt is full of ideas and (I) am interested in his speech.”

Illinois is taking center stage in Tuesday’s primary as the Republican candidates continue vying for the top spot. Mitt Romney continues to have a lead in electoral votes but Rick Santorum is gaining momentum since winning Alabama and Mississippi this week.

Santorum is appearing in Arlington Heights later this week on a few campaign stops.

It’s all about Gingrich in the Fox Valley today.

Roche has a strong knowledge of the key issues and where candidates stand on each one. The issues important to her are the Keystone Pipeline System, a pipeline that would carry oil from Canada to the United States.

“I wish the pipeline would be approved. I think we should be more oil independent and drill here for our own or have a pipeline through Canada rather than (rely on oil from) the Middle East,” she said.

Roche has been a member of the Huntley Tea Party since it started about two years ago. Tea Party members are fiscal conservatives.

Freedom is another key issue for Roche.

“I think our freedom is being trampled. I want people to have a say in their own lives,” she said.

Roche feels Gingrich is weaker than Santorum. Conservatives probably will go for Santorum but her guess is Romney will win Illinois because that state is not very conservative and he has more money to spend on his campaign, she said

She is surprised that Gingrich has not dropped out of the race yet. She half expected him to cancel his appearances this week. Roche is bringing her husband, son and mother and father with her to see Gingrich.

The Huntley woman also will be on hand for the Huntley Tea Party Tax Day Rally from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 14, on Route 47 at Del Webb Parkway.