Manchester – Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson will make his first visit to New Hampshire as a potential presidential candidate later this month, a high-ranking Republican says.

State Senate Minority Leader Ted Gatsas, R-Manchester, told UnionLeader.com this morning that Thompson has agreed to appear at a June 28 fund-raiser for the Senate Republican PAC.

Gatsas said the event will be held at the Wayfarer Inn in Bedford.

Tickets are $50 for a general reception and $500 for a private reception with the former senator.

Thompson has been a topic of hot discussion in political circles since he indicated several weeks ago that he may run for President.

He did not participate in the New Hampshire presidential debate earlier this week, but he has launched a website, hired a campaign staff, and begun raising money.

Thompson, who served in the Senate from 1994-2003, has recently been working as an actor, most notably playing District Attorney Arthur Branch on NBC’s “Law and Order” for the past five years.