Mississippi governor Haley Barbour is expected to announce his intention to seek the Republican presidential nomination later this week, according to The Associated Press.
Mr. Barbour is “expected to join the field as early as this coming week,” The Associated Press reported Sunday.
The governor, who has made several recent trips to early primary states and is actively hiring staffers ahead of a potential run, has floated the possibility in recent months, noting he would announce his decision at the end of April.
The Mississippi governor, who has spent the past months meeting with potential supporters, could be overshadowed by similar announcements from other potential Republican candidates. Later this week Indiana governor Mitch Daniels is expected to announce whether he will enter the 2012 campaign and former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Rick Santorum said Sunday he will announce his decision “soon.”
Political strategists have said New Hampshire and South Carolina, in particular, remain critical to Mr. Barbour’s strategy, should he decide to enter the race.
