Gingrich To Address California Republican Convention

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The California Republican Party will host presidential candidate and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich during its convention later this month.

Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro said Tuesday that Gingrich will address the twice-annual gathering in Burlingame on Feb. 25. Del Beccaro calls Gingrich one of the most dynamic figures in GOP politics in the last 50 years.

Gingrich is running behind former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for the Republican presidential nomination but says he intends to stay in the race.

Gingrich's finance chairman in the state, Eric Beach, says California will be a key primary state this year, although it does not hold its primary until June.