Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum on Sunday cited supporters of Rep. Ron Paul as one of the major reasons why he is aiming for a role at this summer’s Republican National Convention in Tampa.



Former GOP presidential candidate and senator Rick Santorum. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney (R) last month clinched the 1,144 delegates necessary to secure the GOP nomination.

But supporters of Paul (Texas) have been rolling up delegates at the state caucus and convention level – in some cases, gaining control of entire county and state Republican Parties -- and are planning on a strong showing at the convention as well as at a separate “Paul Festival.” That sets the stage for a potential showdown at this summer’s Tampa convention.

Santorum, who dropped his own presidential bid earlier this year, also said Sunday that he hasn’t been contacted by Romney’s campaign as part of the vice-presidential vetting process.

“No one’s asked me for anything right now,” Santorum said, adding that he is focused on Patriot Voices, his new conservative group. “I’m not anxious to get back in the fray right now.”