[img_assist|nid=3308|title=Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R-Mass.)|desc=Getty Images Photo|link=none|align=left|width=410|height=201]Former Massachusetts governor, ex-presidential candidate and, perhaps, future vice-presidential candidate Mitt Romney will host a Sept. 12 Baltimore fundraiser for Republican Andy Harris's 1st District congressional campaign.

Romney will appear at a luncheon for the three-term Cockeysville state Senator, who defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville) in the GOP primary earlier this year.

His appearance will come a week after the Republican National Committee Convention in Minneapolis, a place where many political observers believe he will accept the vice presidential nomination.

Romney dropped out of the Republican presidential race less than a week before Maryland's Feb. 12 presidential primary, ceding the state to U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. He cancelled a speech at the Baltimore County Republicans' Lincoln Day Dinner and never made a primary appearance in the state.

The event will take place at 12:00 p.m. at the Center Club in Baltimore.

In a statement, Harris said, "In this time of economic uncertainty, I am proud to have the support of such a successful business leader and Governor."

"We share a commitment to lower taxes, cut wasteful government spending, and remove the regulatory burden that government places on small businesses."

Harris is running against Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville), the State's Attorney for Queen Anne's County, in the general election.