Nine Republican Presidential hopefuls are registered for the South Carolina primary, solidifying the field for the .
Candidates had until 5 p.m. on Tuesday to pay their required fees and completed applications to have their names officially printed on the ballot.
Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Gary Johnson, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum all qualified for the 2012 South Carolina primary, SCGOP Chairman Chad Connelly announced.
"Presidential candidates and Republican activists across our nation know South Carolina's 30-year tradition of successfully choosing the Republican nominee," Connelly said.
In recent polls, in South Carolina. Perry, who when he entered the race in August, stands third.
After a strong start, Bachmann's polls numbers have . Paul's support has remained consistent, but his campaign has in the Palmetto State.
