GETTYSBURG — Rick Santorum is suspending his campaign for the GOP presidential nomination, clearing a path for Mitt Romney to become the nominee.

A campaign spokesman says the former Pennsylvania senator is to make the announcement later today in his home state of Pennsylvania, two weeks before the GOP presidential primary there.

Santorum faced a tough fight in his home state against Romney.

Santorum, who is a former congressman and senator, grew up in Butler from about age 6 to 16.