Ted Cruz is heading back to South Carolina

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is making another trip to South Carolina, fueling expectations that he’s giving a presidential run serious consideration.

Cruz, a Tea Party hero following his lead in using the government shutdown, will head to the early-primary state next week to meet with evangelical leaders.

The visit comes just weeks after Cruz’s trip to Iowa to keynote state Republicans’ annual fundraiser. Cruz has been actively courting religious conservatives and Tea Party activists ahead of a potential presidential bid.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cruz’s partner in arms during the fight to defund ObamaCare that led to teh government shutdown, will also attend, as well Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.).

The Dallas Morning News first reported Cruz’s trip.