Perry picks up influential South Carolina backers

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Texas Gov. Rick Perry has picked up influential endorsements from two of South Carolina’s top financial donors to back his White House bid.

Former state Republican Party Chairman Barry Wynn and Florence doctor Eddie Floyd said Tuesday they’re backing Perry’s bid.

Wynn and Floyd are two of the state’s top political fundraisers and have played financial roles in campaigns for years.

Wynn led former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s 2008 campaign in South Carolina. Floyd played host to Perry last month in Florence as his campaign debuted in South Carolina.

Their endorsements come a day after Perry skipped a candidate forum in Columbia organized by tea party favorite U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint to return to Texas as it battles wildfires.