EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -- With the republican presidential primary just days away, candidate Rick Santorum made two campaign stops in the Chippewa Valley Friday.

Santorum, along with his wife and two of his seven kids made their first stop at the Eau Claire County Republican Victory Center in Eau Claire.

The family made calls to build support for republican Governor Scott Walker, who faces a recall election this spring.

Santorum then zoomed up to Chippewa Falls, speaking to voters at a rally at Loopy’s Bar and Grill Sports Dome.

“I know you have a great governor who's standing up for freedom, just like we're trying to in this race,” Santorum said.

The former senator from Pennsylvania talked about what he calls the dangers of health care reform.

“We need someone who understands that we need to nurture and support families; not having people out there break them apart like Obamacare does,” Santorum said.

Santorum also spoke about his connection with working class voters, something he said his opponent Mitt Romney lacks.

“Hopefully that will play itself out in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and a whole lot of other states,” Santorum said.

An NBC Marist poll has Santorum seven points behind Romney in Wisconsin’s GOP primary.

But voters at the rally said Santorum is their clear choice come Tuesday.

“He is 100 percent on track with the conservative vote,” Erin Boroka of Bloomer said.
“He's a hometown guy. I like that he's a down to earth fellow and goes along with my beliefs,” said Gail Feuker of Chippewa Falls.

Santorum finished out Friday with campaign stops in Wausau.

“I think he's going to make it all the way, I really do,” said Katie Gardom of Bloomer.
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Eau Claire (WEAU) - GOP Presidential candidate Rick Santorum pressed the flesh in the Chippewa Valley Friday.

He visited GOP headquarters in Eau Claire.

There, he made calls on behalf of governor Scott Walker as the recall against him revs up.

He later made his way to Chippewa Falls for a public event at Loopy's.

Santorum stuck mostly to his usual stump speech.

He spoke about family values and why he's more prepared to lead than rival Mitt Romney.

He said he identifies with working class Wisconsin voters. He also talked about what he called "the dangers" of President Obama's health plan.

He also spoke about the 2nd amendment.

"Unlike some, like governor Romney who supported an assault weapons ban when it was popular, just like he supported global warming when it was popular. But when the climate changed, he changed. I don't change with the climate. I believe the 2nd amendment is there to protect the first."

Following the stop in Chippewa Falls, he headed to the Wausau area for another event Friday evening.

Santorum is behind in the polls leading up to Tuesday's primary here in Wisconsin.