Former US Senator and 2012 Republican Presidential contender Rick Santorum will speak at a rally in downtown Troy on The Square Thursday morning as part of the Alabama GOP Endorsement Tour.

The event is coming to Pike County with the combined effort of the Alabama Republican Party, the Republican Party of Pike County and Troy University College Republicans. The event will take place from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Virginia Hamm, of Pike County Republican Women, said she is happy that Santorum is coming to Troy.

“I think it’s marvelous that we have a nationally known figure that is coming to Troy,” Hamm said. “I’m quite pleased that we will have an opportunity to meet him and hear from him directly. Anytime you have a national figure of Santorum’s status, it is a plus for us in Pike County. His values represent the values of most of us in Pike County. I admire his position on life and family greatly.”

Troy University College Republicans Chairman Morgan Hoggle said the rally will include a meet and greet with Santorum, and he will give a speech.

After the rally, Santorum is expected to tour the Newman Center at Troy University and meet students.

The rally will be in support of local republican candidates, which include Jimmy Holly, Alan Booth, Bo Weed, Jason Youngblood as well as the Attorney General Luther Strange.

“It’s really great for us,” Hoggle said. “I’m really excited for us to be able to get someone like Santorum to come to Troy and speak to us. Getting him here is another big step for us. There are a lot of members that are very devoted to this club and put in a lot of work. We are excited to see what we can do for the future and are taking big steps now.”