With his own re-election a sure thing, Senate Republican Policy Committee Chairman John Thune is spending the home stretch of the August recess traveling to raise money for GOP Congressional candidates.

The South Dakotan has already headlined two fundraisers in his home state for state Rep. Kristi Noem, who is hoping to unseat Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D) in November. This week, he has been to Mississippi to raise money for state Sen. Alan Nunnelee, who is challenging Rep. Travis Childers (D) in the 1st district, and to Arkansas to raise money for Rep. John Boozman, who is challenging Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D).

Next, Thune heads to the Lone Star State to join National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (Texas) at a two-day event sponsored by the Legacy Political Fund, a group supportive of GOP Congressional candidates. From there, Thune will move on to California and Pennsylvania.

In the Golden State, Thune will help raise money for ex-Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, who is challenging Sen. Barbara Boxer (D). Thune will then head to Pennsylvania to aid former Rep. Pat Toomey’s fundraising efforts as he battles Rep. Joe Sestak (D) for an open Senate seat.

Thune is viewed as a possible 2012 presidential contender and a prolific fundraiser. He is expected to spend much of the fall raising money for GOP candidates and the NRSC.

Thune is running for a second term this year, but no Democrat or independent filed to run against him. As of June 30, he reported $7 million in his re-election account.