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COLUMBIA (WACH, AP) -- Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, seen as a potential presidential candidate, is taking the first steps toward building a national political profile by setting up a committee that will let him raise money, hire staff and travel around the country.

Spokesman Tim Miller said Tuesday that Huntsman has filed paperwork to form a political action committee. Miller says this is an "organizational step" and is not a sign that Huntsman would -- or would not -- launch a presidential campaign.

Huntsman, a Republican, left his post in the Obama administration last week and returned home amid speculation he would run for the White House.

Huntsman has scheduled a weekend visit to South Carolina, which has an early spot on the presidential nominating calendar.  He will also deliver a commencement speech at USC.

Meanwhile, Former Sen. Rick Santorum is also taking the next step toward a presidential bid.

Santorum on Tuesday said he had established a presidential exploratory committee and would participate in Thursday's debate in South Carolina, an early presidential nominating state. The Pennsylvania Republican previously had filed a preliminary committee with the Federal Election Commission.

Establishing the presidential exploratory committee allows Santorum to raise and spend money but requires him to disclose his donors.

Santorum, who lost a bruising re-election bid in 2006, has been busy visiting the traditional early nominating states and hiring staff. He has laid the groundwork for a presidential bid but says he isn't yet declaring a White House run.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)