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COLUMBIA  (WACH, AP) -- Several possible Republican presidential contenders for 2012 are in South Carolina to rally voter support.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum are visiting Thursday. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is set to be in the state Saturday. South Carolina holds the nation's first-in-the-South presidential primary.

Republican gubernatorial nominee Nikki Haley is appearing only with Romney. They campaigned together in Summerville and Bamberg.

Meanwhile, Democratic opponent Vincent Sheheen's campaign took the chance to make a jab at Haley concerning her stance on healthcare.

"Nikki Haley has spent months misleading the voters on Vincent Sheheen's position on mandated healthcare, but brings in the father of mandated healthcare to campaign with her," says Sheheen Communications Director Kristin Cobb.

Romney approved a healthcare plan in Massachusetts that opponents say laid the ground work for the federal healthcare plan passed by President Obama which Haley opposes.

Romney endorsed Haley in April and made contributions to her campaign as she badly trailed her three primary rivals.  Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin endorsed her a month later.

Santorum had events in Greenville, while Gingrich was set to be in Greenville later Thursday.

Visit our Politics Page for the latest news leading up to November 2.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)