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Bachmann, Perry making stops in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Two Republican presidential hopefuls will be swinging through the Charlotte area Thursday on campaign fundraising stops.

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann and Texas governor Rick Perry will be be making appearances in Charlotte.

Bachmann will be attending a lunch-time event in Concord at Troutman's Barbecue. To get access to the event, guest will pay $35 per person and sponsors will pay $500 per couple.

Perry will also make a fundraising stop during the lunch hour Thursday at San Antonio's Modern Mexican Restaurant on Barclay Downs Drive in Charlotte.

After the barbecue, Bachmann will make her way to Charlotte for a 2 p.m. speaking engagement at the Chamber of Commerce's belk Action Center on N. Tryon Street.

In recent polls, Perry has been leading the packed Republican primary field, followed closely by former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. Bachmann's solid polling earlier in the primary cycle -- including a win in the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa -- has dwindled to a distant fourth behind Texas Rep. Ron Paul.

However, the focus as of late has been on New Jersey governor Chris Christie, who has been unable to shake the rumor that he's stepping into the 2012 presidential ring even though he has said repeatedly he has no interest in running.

Many pundits believe Christie would move quickly to the front of the GOP field and quickly outpace candidates -- like Perry and Bachmann -- who have often been ensnared in difficult questions about their public comments and positions.