Republican Presidential Candidate Romney In Stockton For Fundraiser

STOCKTON (CBS13) - Mitt Romney supporters spent a lot of cash to eat breakfast with the GOP presidential candidate on Tuesday in Stockton during a stop at billionaire Alex Spanos' house on Romney's West Coast swing.

As expected, Romney didn't speak to the media beforehand. In fact, he didn't even make an appearance outside.
Had he, Romney would've been greeted not only by some of his most deep-pocketed supporters arriving but also by protestors lining the street.

A CHP motorcade escorted Romney to and from the event. Amid tight security, demonstrators held signs but for the most part held their tongues as guests arrived.

The private breakfast reportedly ran $1,000 a plate and $10,000 per table, and with around 500 seats available, a full house was expected to hear Romney speak.

Though California's primary is still a ways off, the Republican presidential front-runner is making fundraising stops across the state. His Stockton supporters say he has the best chance to fix an economy beset by unemployment and foreclosures, something Stockton residents have experienced actutely.

"We've got a lot of challenges in California, I don't know anyone at the federal level can make the changes we need locally, but he's our best shot," supporter Stan Leavitt.

It was no accident the fundraiser was held at the Spanos home. The San Diego Chargers owner was a top contributor to President Bush's re-election campaign in 2004.

Protestors, though, were put off by the high price of admission, saying Romney is out of touch.

"I can't even get paper for my classroom," teacher Richard Blackston said as he protested across the street from the Spanos home.

Romney is expected to make five fundraising stops across California over the next few days. He was in San Francisco Monday at another private event where seats cost up to $25,000.

Romney is also picking up some big-time Republican endorsements in California. He announced his California Leadership Team loaded with more than 35 influential Republican lawmakers and deep-pocketed supporters from the Golden State.

Former California governors George Deukmejian and Pete Wilson are the state honorary chairmen.

Later this week, Romney's Republican rival Rick Santorum will also be in Northern California to do some fundraising and stumping.

He'll be in Fairfield at a campaign event Thursday, where he'll hold a rally outside the Jelly Belly Factory that was made famous by another Republican.

The late President Ronald Reagan loved the Jelly Belly jelly beans and had them available in the Oval Office at the White House.

After the rally, Santorum will attend a fundraiser inside Jelly Belly.

California's primary election is June 5. Experts say Romney could clinch the nomination by May 22nd, but only if he wins all delegates until then.