In another sign of New Hampshire’s influential role in the primary process, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney will formally announce his run for president of the United States in Stratham on Thursday, July 2.

The Republican, also a presidential candidate in 2008, will make his announcement during a barbecue at the Bittersweet Farm, owned by former state representatives Doug and Stella Scamman, according to Romney campaign aides.

Romney also launched his presidential exploratory committee from the Granite State, recording a video at the University of New Hampshire in April. He may be planning to amp up his presence in New Hampshire after losing the state to John McCain in the 2008 primary. McCain, of course, went on to win the Republican nomination before losing to Barack Obama in the general election.

Romney is not the first Republican to throw his hat in the ring for the 2012 nomination. Texas congressman Ron Paul announced his run for the presidency a couple of weeks ago in Exeter. Businessman Herman Cain announced his bid last month from his hometown of Atlanta. Former House speaker Newt Gingrich and former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty recently announced their own bids over the Internet.

Other prospective Republican candidates who could make an announcement soon include former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum, Minnesota congresswoman Michelle Bachmann, and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin.

Another potential candidate, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, also will be on the Seacoast on June 2. Giuliani will participate in the N.H. Republican Party’s speaker series fundraiser at Three Rivers Farm in Dover at 6 p.m.

Romney appears to be popular among New Hampshire Republicans. A WMUR Granite State Poll released by the UNH Survey Center in early May established Romney as the clear frontrunner among prospective candidates, with 36 percent of those polled saying they planned to vote for him. Donald Trump came in a distant second in that poll, but Trump has since announced that he will not run