FORT WORTH -- Republican Party officials have changed course and decided to allow media to attend their key convention fundraiser -- the Gala Banquet -- where former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum will speak Friday night.
Last month, Republican officials said the gala, where Santorum will be joined by U.S. Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, would be off-limits to the media and the public.
But officials announced that they confirmed just recently that "we will be able to offer media access" to the gala banquet scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
This banquet is generally a highlight for the GOP state convention, which runs Thursday through Saturday in Fort Worth and could draw up to 9,000 delegates and 9,000 alternates. This convention is believed to be the largest GOP gathering in the country.
Presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who held a public event in Fort Worth Tuesday and is in the state attending fundraisers, is not expected to attend the state convention.
-- Anna M. Tinsley
Comments