Newt Gingrich makes stops in Orange County

Republican Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich made several campain stops in Central Florida Saturday afternoon.

“What I want to do is have people power so what I am going to do is come down and chat with each one of you personally,” said Gingrich.

What was slated to be an hour-long town hall with the Hispanic community turned into a seven minute speech and a photo session at an east Orange County church.

WFTV was there as Newt Gingrich was whisked away without stopping to answer questions. Recent polls showed his main rival Mitt Romney, with a sizable lead among Florida Hispanic republicans.

“Maybe because he has more money, you know, to advertise,” said Gingrich supporter Mimi Maldonado.

One in 10 voters in Tuesday's republican primary are expected to be Latino. A recent poll commissioned by Univision and ABC News showed they prefer Romney by more than a two to one margin.

Working to boost his appeal, Gingrich spoke Saturday about the possibility of Puerto Rico becoming the 51st state.

“I want you to know that if the people of Puerto Rico have a referendum and they vote for statehood, I will work with congress to make sure we work through the details," Gingrich said.

Later Gingrich attended a GOP forum at a church in Winter Park where he took questions on mostly social issues.

Gingrich also stopped at the Orange County Republicans' Lincoln Day Dinner in the evening, where he was the key note speaker.