Perry making it official, signs SC primary papers

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Texas Gov. Rick Perry is making himself an official South Carolina presidential primary candidate.

State Rep. Eric Bedingfield said that he notarized Perry’s candidate papers Monday. The papers are filed with the state Republican Party and the state Election Commission.

Perry still must pay his $35,000 candidate filing fee. Campaigns of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann said they’ll file for the Jan. 21 primary later this week.

The Election Commission says Nov. 1 is the deadline for candidates to get on the ballot.

Perry is stopping in South Carolina on Tuesday, giving a policy speech in Gray Court and talking to Gov. Nikki Haley and reporters at the Statehouse in Columbia. He’ll wrap up the visit with a fundraiser.