COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman's 2012 presidential race in South Carolina will be led by outgoing Republican Party executive director Joel Sawyer.
Sawyer told the GOP's leadership Monday that he was stepping down to work for Huntsman.
Sawyer says he will be Huntsman's state director if Huntsman formally enters the race. Huntsman already has been working with political consultant Richard Quinn and former attorney general Henry McMaster. South Carolina is to hold the first-in-the-South primary.
Huntsman stopped in the state earlier this month to give a commencement address at the University of South Carolina. He met privately with influential Republicans including Gov. Nikki Haley.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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