Newt, what are you doing?

(The State) — As he fights for the Republican presidential nomination, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will appear with one of the South Carolina’s most prominent Democrats.

Gingrich is scheduled to speak at a homeownership rally on Thursday in front of the State House along with U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, South Carolina’s lone Democratic congressman.

Other speakers include state Treasurer Curtis Loftis, who has endorsed Mitt Romney for president.

“Lawmakers and regulators are crafting proposals that, if left unchecked, will harm home owners, home buyers, the housing market and the nation’s economy,” organizers said in a news release. “On Thursday, January 12, Columbia’s home builders, Realtors and other industry professionals will join political, business and community leaders for a rally on the steps of the South Carolina State House to tell policymakers that homeownership still works in America . . . and needs our strong support.”

This is not the first time Gingrich has been willing to share the stage with Democrats. In 2008, Gingrich sat on a couch with then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, in an ad to proclaim “our country must take action to address climate change.”