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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Presidential hopefuls helped raise $115,000 for the first-in-the-South primary.

State GOP executive director Matt Moore said Tuesday U.S. Reps. Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich helped the party raise that cash at an event Monday tied to a candidate forum.

The February primary will cost $1.2 million. Taxpayers pick up half the tab.

The party raised $15,000 last month with events tied to Texas Gov. Rick Perry and has a fundraiser this month headlined by former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

Candidates already have put up $160,000 to have their names on the ballot. Perry, Bachmann, Gingrich and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney haven't paid the $35,000 fee yet.

Meanwhile, the GOP said U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham put up $25,000 to support the primary.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)