Will Santorum address lawmakers or just wave at them?

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum will be visiting the state Legislature Monday as part of a quick swing through the state.

Santorum is penciled in for conversations at 3 p.m. with House Republicans and at 3:30 p.m. with GOP members of the Senate.

If the Senate is in session, some Republican lawmakers would like Santorum invited to the rostrum and even given a couple minutes to speak. Failing that, they hope the former United States senator can be acknowledged in the gallery above the Senate floor.

Santorum also is expected to meet with supporters in Olympia before traveling to Tacoma for a campaign rally at 7 p.m. at the Washington State Historical Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave.

While former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is the front runner for the Republican presidential nomination, Santorum is surging following victories in Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado this week.

Now Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator certainly has his eye on the 43 delegates in play in Washington’s March 3 caucuses. He’s a social conservative and voters with his values turn out well in the caucuses.

In 2008, John McCain finished first in the state’s caucuses followed closely by Mike Huckabee, Ron Paul and Mitt Romney.