Haley spends weekend at T. Boone Pickens spread

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and her husband got a free trip to oil billionaire T. Boone Pickens spread in Texas courtesy of a wealthy Wyoming couple.

Haley spokesman Rob Godfrey confirmed the trip and arrangements on Thursday. He said it was the first time Haley had met Pickens.

Godfrey said Foster Freiss (freez) and his wife invited the Haleys and other couples to Pickens’ ranch and paid for the trip.

Pickens has for years pushed offshore natural gas and wind energy production. Wind turbine gear is built and tested in South Carolina and Haley has supported natural gas production off South Carolina’s coast.

Freiss is from Jackson Hole, Wyo. He gave $200,000 to Republican Susana Martinez’s successful bid for New Mexico governor last year.