Santorum, Perry Lead Fundraising in State and in Mauldin Area

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who wasn’t even , has surged to the front of South Carolina fundraising thanks to some fast and large donations.

Perry, whose Palmetto State poll numbers have soured after a hot start, has raised $103,650 from S.C. contributors in six weeks, according to Federal Elections Commission (FEC) figures released this week. Perry’s 81 donations, primarily from Upstate residents, averaged $1,280. The FEC totals are through September 30.

Following Perry in fundraising is former Sen. , who has raised $80,080 among S.C. donors; former Gov. , who has raised $75,230 ($54,000 of it coming in the third quarter) and former Rep. Ron Paul, who has raised $54,999 since the campaign began.

Businessman , who leads the latest S.C. GOP poll among primary voters, has raised $23,484. Rep. , who spent a great deal of time in South Carolina over the summer, has yet to make a serious funding impact, raising $23,197. Meanwhile, former House Speaker has raised $16,460.

Perry and Santorum were also the top fundraisers in the Mauldin area, each raising $5,000. Santorum’s amount came from one donor and Perry’s came from two. Bachmann, Cain, Paul and Romney each raised between $500 and $1,000 locally. Gingrich and Former Utah Gov. did not receive any donations. All told donors in and around Mauldin gave $13,250.

Elsewhere across the state, former candidate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty raised $2,800 before dropping out of the race. Huntsman, whose campaign appears to be in financial distress following this recent round of financial disclosures, has raised $2,550. And former New Mexico Gov. has raised $451.

South Carolina, which will hold its first in the South primary on Jan. 21, isn’t just opening its pocketbook for Republican candidates, however.

While the GOP presidential candidates have raised $382,902 in this election cycle, incumbent President Barack Obama, who is visiting North Carolina and Virginia this week, has raised $238,291 among S.C. voters, according to the FEC.