SC strategist to head Rubio super-PAC

A top South Carolina strategist with close ties to Sen. Marco Rubio’s (R-Fla.) staff is set to lead his super-PAC. 

{mosads}According to The New York Times, Warren Tompkins, who runs a political consulting firm with top Rubio adviser Terry Sullivan, will be in charge of the new organization.

Tompkins is a longtime South Carolina guru who worked on former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s previous campaigns and has close ties to the donor class as well as fundraising powerhouse and former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R), though Barbour’s relatives have signed on to help former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R).

Tompkins tells the Times that his role has yet to be “determined or formalized,” but that he intended “to spend the next two years building support for Marco and his positive conservative vision for our country.”

The move is the latest clear sign that Rubio’s gearing up for a presidential bid, which advisers to the Florida senator say could be launched as early as next month.

Tompkins will be a key player in making sure Rubio has enough money heading into next year’s primaries, as the group can raise unlimited sums and help him counter what’s expected to be an eye-popping war chest from his former mentor, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R).