Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) is headed to South Carolina this weekend for a second time in as many months to speak to a group of conservatives and fundraise for the state party. Santorum has prompted rumors that he might be considering a 2012 bid by visiting key presidential states, such as Iowa on Oct. 1, 2009 and South Carolina on Dec. 8 and 9, although most political observers believe he would be a longshot candidate at best.

Santorum will attend an evening event at “Awakening,” a weekend forum for conservatives in the Palmetto State on Friday, Jan. 8. The former Senator, who lost re-election by an 18 point margin in 2006 to Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), will headline a private fundraiser for the state party on Saturday, Jan. 9.

“I also look forward to catching up with friends at a fundraising event for the South Carolina Republican Party and engage in a discussion about the issues that matter to the future of our country and our party,” Santorum said in a statement about his visit to the presidential primary state.