By Courtney Gousman
St. Charles County, MO (KSDK) - On Tuesday night St. Charles County held the last caucus in Missouri out of 142 statewide, and it's being held on a night when Republicans were hit with the news that Rick Santorum would be suspending his presidential campaign.
Santorum's decision didn't stop his supporters from showing up to caucus.
They came with high hopes. Nine hundred three people participated in the second caucus attempt for St. Charles County Republicans.
Debi Demien attended the first caucus that ended, with police shutting things down.
"It was very interesting, exciting, and disappointing. Extremely disappointing," said Demien.
Demien says she's one of the many Rick Santorum supporters surprised to learn he has suspended his campaign.
"I think probably a lot of people are Santorum supporters are discouraged and maybe didn't come," said Demien.
Santorum had a good showing at Tuesday's caucus. In February, Santorum won Missouri's non-binding primary, with 55 percent of the vote.
"I'm not sure Santorum supporters, who are typically one issue people are going to necessarily come to us," said Ron Paul supporter Tommy Newcomb.
Tuesday night those still in Santorum's coroner felt they have to follow things through, during the caucus.
"We're looking at the delegates that hold the same values: pro-life, conservative. Those are the kind of people we want, regardless of what campaign they support. So we'll be looking for that," said Demien.
Missouri Republican Party leaders were on hand monitoring Tuesday night's caucus, and say the hope is that Santorum supporters look at the big picture.
"It's my hope that all those individuals who voted for Rick Santorum will understand we're concentrating on November. Electing a Republican president in November and will still come out and participate in this process tonight," said David Cole, Missouri Republican Party Chairman.
Most of Tuesday night's caucus goers are backing Ron Paul. Participants say this time around things have been a bit more orderly, compared to last month's attempt.
The 294 delegates selected Tuesday do not have to declare their presidential candidate just yet.
Those candidates will move on to represent the county congressional and state conventions, and then a portion of those delegates will move on to the GOP National Convention this summer.
KSDK