Hopeful Republican presidential nominee Newt Gingrich may be behind in the polls, but he’s planned several stops in metro Atlanta in the coming weeks, including some in our Patch, to drum up support in time for Georgia’s presidential preference primary on March 6.

Gingrich will hold a campaign rally Saturday, Feb. 18 at at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest at 3 p.m. after his stops in Gwinnett and Forsyth counties. Smyrna-Vinings Patch will have coverage of the event.

The former speaker is also scheduled to speak at a Cobb Chamber breakfast Thursday, March 1 at 7:30 a.m. at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Tickets to the breakfast are $35 for members in advance and $50 at the door. Tickets for general admission are $75. The last day to purchase a ticket is Friday, Feb. 24 at noon or earlier if tickets sell out.

So far Gingrich has only won one primary race and that was in South Carolina. The former Speaker of the House represented Georgia’s sixth congressional district from 1979 to 1999. Will Gingrich’s former constituents help him score a win in Georgia next month?

Some voters may have already cast ballots for Gingrich. Advance voting for the primary began in Cobb County Monday and continues through March 2. No reason is required to vote early and it can be done in person Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the board of elections and registration office, 763 Whitlock Avenue in Marietta. The polls will also be open Saturday, Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.