COLUMBIA, S.C. - When Gov. Mark Sanford has a fund-raiser next month, the event will be held in Cincinnati, and the checks will be sent to Austin, Texas.

It's not unusual for the Republican governor to raise money from sources outside South Carolina. About half of his $3.4 million re-election war chest has come from individuals and businesses elsewhere, according to campaign finance disclosure reports.

But the Sept. 20 fund-raiser in the owner's suite at the Cincinnati Reds ballpark has some political observers puzzled. Sanford criticized former Gov. Jim Hodges for collecting out-of-state donations during the 2002 campaign.

"Boy, that sounds very strange," said Doug Woodard, a Clemson University political science professor. "Unless he has presidential ambitions."

Sanford previously has rejected any interest in a potential 2008 presidential run.

But a flier promoting the Cincinnati event declares Sanford is "one of the most attractive young presidential prospects for the future," according to a copy obtained by The (Charleston) Post and Courier. The flier asks that contributions to the "Sanford for Gov." campaign be sent to Billy B. Hill Jr. of Austin.

"We're happy to have the support from folks all over the country," said Sanford's campaign spokeswoman, Morgan Harrell.

Hill, president of a Wall Street-listed insurance company, gave $500 contributions to Sanford in 1995 and 1997 when he was running for Congress, according to federal campaign records. More recently, Hill gave $2,000 to President Bush. He also has supported the Dallas County Democratic Party, records show.

Sanford received donations last quarter from people in 24 states, according to State Ethics Commission filings.

Donors in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York account for a quarter of Sanford's contributions. Most came from a New York City fund-raiser.

Woodard, a part-time consultant for Republican candidates, said Sanford's out-of-state money could become a political liability in South Carolina.

"Many (voters) have a mentality that the governor and his money should be from South Carolina," he said. "I think they'll be uncomfortable with this move."

Lachlan McIntosh, executive director of the South Carolina Democratic Party, said voters should be concerned.

"The governor should be working for the people of our state, not selling out to a bunch of rich investment bankers in New York," he said. "We haven't seen this many New Yorkers try to take over South Carolina since the Civil War."