1st District congressional field expanding

Republican state Rep. Chip Limehouse of Charleston has formally entered the 1st Congressional District race to fill the vacancy left by Tim Scott’s elevation to U.S. senator.

“I’m running for Congress. Period,” said Limehouse, who has been in the Legislature since 1995.

In other 1st District events, former state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel responded on his Facebook page to speculation that he may be interested in the seat after his name was used in a recent poll.

“Yes, I am considering a comeback but I’m not sure if the timing of this race is right for me,” he wrote. “Anyway, the filing deadline is not until January 28 so that’s 17 days for me to make up my mind.”

He did not respond to a phone message Friday. Ravenel resigned his post as treasurer after being caught up in a cocaine scandal.

Also Friday, the Weekly Standard, quoting unidentified close sources, said former Gov. Mark Sanford will announce early next week that he is in the race for the seat he once held. And former state Sen. John Kuhn opened a campaign office Friday at 39 Broad St.