For all those politicos out there, the rumors are true. Patch.com is one-upping the hesitant-to-declare Republican candidates by proudly moving into Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. We are gearing up for 2012.

In the next few months you will find 33 new primary state sites that will reflect the traditional Patch model of local news, information, and community interaction. There we'll provide a platform for citizens, candidates, and influencers to discuss local issues and events, including the impact of national and state issues on the local landscape heading into the 2012 election season.

Unlike the merry band of reporters who swarm into primary states in the weeks or days before, Patch reporters will already be a part of the community, offering comprehensive coverage instead of a “horse race” approach to reporting.

On Patch sites throughout the country, you will find interactive features like blogging and polls, social media tools, candidate questionnaires and video interviews.

“By expanding to key primary states, Patch positions itself squarely on the front lines of the presidential campaign and will be able to deliver a real-time snapshot of how pivotal communities are reacting to candidates – as well as immediate feedback on whether the issues that matter most to these towns are being addressed," said Arianna Huffington, President and Editor-in-Chief of AOL Huffington Post Media Group.

Patch is now in over 800 communities in 18 states plus Washington, D.C.