Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is set to headline a state GOP fundraiser this week, an early-primary state visit likely to fuel speculation that the 2008 presidential candidate may yet enter the 2012 race.

The New Hampshire Republican Party told Roll Call that Giuliani will headline the state GOP’s speaker series fundraiser Thursday.

“I am pleased to welcome Mayor Giuliani back to New Hampshire and I am thrilled that he has reached out to help us raise funds for the NHGOP,” state party Chairman Jack Kimball said in a written statement. “He is a proven leader who guided us through one of our nation’s darkest hours on Sept. 11th.”

The $200-a-head event will be held at the home of Dover small-business owner Dan Philbrick, who endorsed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee last cycle. Giuliani is also expected to make stops in North Conway and Manchester during his two-day swing through the first-in-the-nation primary state.