Santorum Supporters Undaunted At St. Charles County Caucus

The second attempt at a St. Charles County caucus was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the tonight.

This caucus is a redo after the March 17 caucus .

Inside the convention center, supporters checked in with the various camps in hospitality rooms, picked up stickers. Ron Paul's supporters offered free babysitting in one room and also handed out election voting suggestions including a suggested slate that included Brent Stafford as caucus chairman.

Dan O'Sullivan, state volunteer coordinator for the Newt Gingrich campaign, said he expects the caucus to go more smoothly than last time. This caucus is being run by the Missouri Republican Party. 

"The difference being organization and paying attention to details," he said.

O'Sullivan said he expected no one candidate would have a majority of supporters and that the result would be a consolidated slate in which each candidate would get delegates.

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum's supporters were disappointed but undeterred by his announcement Tuesday to suspend his campaign.

Steve Johnson, who has helped organize volunteers in St. Charles County for Santorum, said he was surprised. "We'll see what happens tonight," he said.

Archie Ringgenberg, of Lake Saint Louis, said he still hopes Santorum comes back to the campaign.

"I like all of his views better than the rest of them," he said, adding that he would support the eventual Republican nominee.

Laurice Cox drove up from Springfield, MO to volunteer for Santorum at the St. Charles County caucus. "We were shocked and upset," she said, about hearing the news.

Cox and her friends kept going and on Tuesday afternoon worked to convince the undecided caucus-goers to stick with Santorum and make a statement about their conservative values.

"You let your voice be heard today," said Shelley Baker, a volunteer. "If you have to change your vote in November, then you go ahead."