Santorum, top backer gathering support

Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and his main financial backer, billionaire Foster Friess, are gathering supporters together to plot out another presidential bid.

{mosads}The two are hosting a meeting in Arizona this weekend, according to The Washington Post, that will be attended by other potential donors as well as Santorum staffers from his last campaign and early primary states.

The meeting is the latest in a string of gatherings Santorum has held as he gears up for another run.

The former senator has long indicated he would run again and has kept up close ties with Friess, who helped fuel his 2012 campaign by bankrolling Santorum’s super-PAC. Having the wealthy backer officially onboard means he’ll be able to finance a campaign more easily heading into a crowded GOP field, though he’ll begin this race where he began the last one — as a major underdog.