Anthony H. Gioia, the Buffalo businessman and former ambassador to Malta, was en route to Tampa this afternoon to attend a "victory party" for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, competing in the Florida primary.
Gioia, who attended a similar event on Jan. 10 in Manchester to celebrate Romney's win in the New Hampshire primary, was slated to attend a VIP reception and then be on hand for Romney's late remarks. The former Massachusetts governor is leading all polls against former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in Florida.
Gioia is expected to serve in a key fundraising role for Romney, including a yet-to-be-scheduled Buffalo event he is arranging with businessman Mark Hamister.
--Robert J. McCarthy
