Charleston, SC | Breaking News, Sports, Weather2012 Republican hopefuls headed to SC

2012 Republican hopefuls headed to SC

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCIV)-- The front runners in the Republican presidential race are headed to South Carolina this Labor Day for a forum hosted by U.S. Senator Jim Demint. 

Participants scheduled to show include former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Texas congressman Ron Paul.  They will be joined by businessman Herman Cain and former U.S. House Representative Newt Gingrich. 

Those that were invited to participate in the forum were chosen based on how the candidates were doing in preliminary polls up until this point.  That being said, former Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum was no invited.  But Santorum won't be sitting idol.  He plans to campaign in the Midlands and the upstate area Monday. 

Campaigning and large forums such as the one being held today in the Palmetto State are so important for the candidates, knowing that South Carolina has the South's first GOP presidential primary in the early part of next year.