First on CNN: Jindal raising money for 2016 powerbroker in New Orleans

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(CNN) - Bobby Jindal is courting one of South Carolina's most popular Republican politicians this weekend in New Orleans, the latest sign of the Louisiana governor's interest in a 2016 presidential bid.

Jindal is hosting a fundraiser for South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott on Friday afternoon at a steak house in New Orleans, where Scott spent the morning speaking to a conservative conference.

Guests are asked to contribute a minimum of $1,000 or a maximum of $5,200 per person for a chance to mingle with Jindal and Scott, according to a copy of the invitation provided to CNN by a Republican source.

The event is notable because of Scott's wild popularity among grassroots conservatives in South Carolina, an early primary state where Jindal, a southerner, will likely spend plenty of time if he decides to pursue a White House bid.

Scott declined to endorse a presidential candidate during the 2012 Republican primaries, when he was a member of the House, but his endorsement will almost certainly be sought by next cycle's crop of GOP contenders.

Scott, the state's highest-ranking African-American official, was appointed to his Senate seat late last year by Gov. Nikki Haley after Jim DeMint left office to take over the conservative Heritage Foundation in Washington. He is up for a full term in 2014, but has yet to draw a serious opponent.

Jindal's courtship of the South Carolina GOP establishment won't end Friday.

Later this month, he will travel to Greenville along with Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to help raise money for Haley's re-election bid.