South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint blasted Jon Huntsman for refusing to sign a pledge to cut spending and balance the budget.

The State Column says that DeMint's stance could hurt Huntsman's chances in some early primary states.

The South Carolina Republican, who is seen largely as a kingmaker in the U.S. Senate and in South Carolina — the nation’s second primary state, remains a major force in South Carolina politics. Mr. DeMint noted that he has extended his sphere of influence to include Iowa and New Hamphire, where he said is working on persuading Republicans from supporting candidates until an extension of the debt ceiling is voted on.

“I’m working with people in Iowa and New Hampshire and South Carolina, to try to get a lot of people to hold back and not commit so we can see how they respond to this debt ceiling, the balanced budget and some of the things that we’re going to face here over the next few months,” Mr. DeMint told CNN.

“I think we’ll know who our candidate is by how they, they lead based on what we’re doing here.”