Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum are both planning on making stops in Meridian in the coming days.

Gingrich will be up first with a visit to the MSU Riley Center scheduled for Friday morning at 9:30.

"In years past by the time Mississippi is voting the primary process has sort of wrapped up, so we're really excited to have Mississippi and Lauderdale County on the national stage," says Lauderdale County Republican Executive Committee Member Tyler Norman.

Santorum's campaign manager confirmed with us Thursday afternoon that he is coming to Meridian Sunday, but a definite time has not been verified.

Initially the AP reported he would be in Meridian around 12:30 PM.

Both Gingrich and Santorum are looking to catch front runner Mitt Romney, who also has plans to visit Mississippi, though a stop in Meridian has not been announced.