Mount Pleasant Republican Donors Backing Santorum, Gingrich

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who wasn’t even a candidate for the GOP nomination until mid-August, 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 figures released this week. Perry's 81 donations, primarily from Upstate residents, averaged $1,280.

In Mount Pleasant, however, former Sen. Rick Santorum leads in donations, with $5,000 coming from a husband and wife, records show. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is a close second with $4,800 coming from Mount Pleasant pockets, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is third with $4,000. Romney has the largest number of donations, though the amounts are smaller.

Perry has received just $1,050 from Mount Pleasant Republicans, records show. Rep. Ron Paul has received $3,700 in local donations.

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

Businessman Herman Cain, who leads the latest S.C. GOP poll among primary voters, has raised $23,484. Rep. Michele Bachmann, 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 Newt Gingrich has raised $16,460.

In Mount Pleasant, Perry, Bachmann and Cain barely received a combined $2,000 in donations, records show. Bachmann received a paltry $650 after making a stop on both Daniel Island and at Patriots Point during the height of her campaign.

Across the state, former candidate Tim Pawlenty raised $2,800 before dropping out of the race. Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, whose campaign appears to be in financial distress following this recent round of financial disclosures, has raised $2,550. And former Gov. Gary Johnson 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.