(CNN) - He was one of the first Republicans to form a presidential exploratory committee back in March, but now former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer is officially throwing his hat into the ring.
The White House hopeful, soon to be the 11th GOP presidential candidate, will announce his decision Thursday in New Hampshire, where he'll be living and "campaigning the heck out of the state," according to campaign manager Carlos Sierra.
His campaign plans to make the Granite State the primary focus early on; Roemer recently moved into an apartment in Manchester with his son. Sierra said when Roemer campaigned for Sen. John McCain in 2008, he connected well with voters in New Hampshire, the first-in-the-nation primary state.
Taking a grassroots approach, Roemer, an advocate for campaign finance reform, has placed a $100 limit on campaign contributions, well short of the $2,500 allowed for donations by an individual.
"The governor feels he doesn't want to buy votes," Sierra said. "This is his way of putting his money where his mouth his."
But the campaign lags far behind fundraising efforts by other 2012 presidential candidates. To date, Roemer's exploratory committee has raised nearly $96,000, with nearly $41,000 raised in the second quarter.
"It's going to be tough, but the governor is committed to this, to prove to the country that you don't need millions and millions to win," Sierra said.
Roemer served four terms as a Democratic congressman from Louisiana then became governor of the state in 1988. He made headlines when switching affiliation to the GOP in his third year as governor and lost re-election to a second term.
After working in government, the Harvard graduate founded and became the CEO of Business First Bank.
From CNN Politics
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"Taking a grassroots approach, Roemer, an advocate for campaign finance reform, has placed a $100 limit on campaign contributions, well short of the $2,500 allowed for donations by an individual."
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He implemented a "give it back tax cut" on his donations. That's rich.
sounds like the gop is throwing enough names maybe one will stick..
WHO? This guy has a lot of work to do, but going against an incumbent is sort of a losing proposition.
This guy has a large challenge ahead of him. There are more candidates that have more money and name/face recognition already out there. He'd need some extraordinary help to catch up. I am sure that he could over take Santorum easily, but that isn't hard to begin with given who Santorum is.
Gee yet another clown that the Dems get to make fun of.
Come on, CNN. While it's a curiosity to hear about his meager finances, tell us his positions on the issues. That's what really matters.
Then again, as a Louisiana Republican, we may already know his positions.
Is this NEVER going to stop ? Is there any Republican out there who does not think they would make a great president ? I guess in order to be a Republican you have to have an igo the size of the moon.
It is getting to be just too laughable.
July 18th, 2011 7 PM Plaistow Public Library (85 Main Street) at the Plaistow Area Republican Town Committee Meeting potential GOP Nominee Buddy Roemer will be the Guest Speaker. Mr. Roemer is a former Representative and Governor of Louisiana. He will share why he is seeking the Republican nomination for the Presidency of the United States of America. Come join us and learn more about how we together can take back America and change tracks to a future of values, growth and excellence.
another clown enters the race? WOW
He can team up with Thad McCotter and they can become the "Less than One percenters" ticket – as in polling below 1%.
Seems like every Right wing nutjob thinks they can be President.
Great! Another GOP hopeful with a statistically-zero chance of being elected President. He joins Bachmann, Cain, Gingrich Johnson, Palin, Paul, Pawlenty, Santorum, and probably one or two others I've already forgotten about.
That leaves Romney and Huntsman, who both face serious challenges in the primary (RINOs).
How many divisions of "I'm Running For The Presidency, Inc." will the GOP tolerate? So many of these guys & gals KNOW damn well they can't even last until Super Tuesday much less win the Republican nomination.
I sure hope people refuse to listen to watch Palin's reality TV show, listen to Bachmann's pending radio talk show, buy Cain's muscial CD, buy a condo from Trump, by a book from Gingrich, pay for a speech from Santorum,
How many can that GOP clown car hold? Well, at least they're being environmentally conscious and carpooling their trip over the cliff...
I'm sure the gov from Louisiana has a lot to offer the rest of the country. For example, education, infant mortality, diabetes, healthcare, etc.
Save your money "Buddy".
...At the rate this is going they're going to have to add a FOURTH ring to this circus.
former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer is officially throwing his hat into the ring.
Why not? Everyone else has. I hear they are STILL screening candidates for the job over on the right. None of which can win.
I'd rather vote for David Duke (KKK).
STOP THE PRESSES!!!!! Er, who cares?