Texas Gov. Rick Perry is heading to Indianapolis for a stop in which he’ll be the latest Republican presidential contender to try to stake a claim on the state Barack Obama won in 2008.

The top-tier presidential candidate is scheduled to speak this afternoon at the Columbia Club in downtown Indianapolis.

Perry is the fourth GOP candidate to accept an invitation from state Republican Chairman Eric Holcomb to visit Indiana, including an Indianapolis stop by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney last month.

John Huntsman and Herman Cain have also already visited Indiana.

Perry was among the Republican candidates who took part in a debate Tuesday night in New Hampshire.

Perry entered the race as one of the favorites, but his campaign has faltered a bit after debate performances that some considered shaky.