GREENVILLE — Former Republican president hopeful Mike Huckabee will make a special stop in Greenville Thursday to help support state Rep. Rex Rice’s bid for Congress.

Huckabee will be the key guest at a fundraiser for Rice from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursday at the Carolina First Center, formerly the Palmetto Expo Center. Huckabee was the governor of Arkansas and is currently a host on Fox News.

The cost for the private reception is $1,000 per couple, $500 per couple for lunch only, and $300 per individual for lunch only.

Although Huckabee lost South Carolina in the 2008 Republican primary to Sen. John McCain, he carried South Carolina’s third congressional district. The district includes Pickens, Anderson, Oconee and Aiken counties.

Rice is one of several candidates for the Congressional seat that’s currently being held by Republican Gresham Barrett. Barrett is not seeking re-election for that seat because he is running for governor.

“It is an honor to have my good friend Mike Huckabee make a special trip to South Carolina to support my run for Congress,” Rice said in a press release. “I just hope we can take back Congress, stop deficit spending, and protect the American Dream for future generations.”

“Rex Rice is the kind of solid leader we need in Congress today,” Huckabee said in an endorsement letter.