Dantzler quitting, Scott might run

Rep. Tom Dantzler, R-Goose Creek, said he won't seek re-election to the District 117 seat he has held for almost 14 years. He's the second local House member in as many weeks to decide to hang it up after this year.

Meanwhile, Charleston County Council Chairman Tim Scott said he might try to replace Dantzler.

"I'm not a young man anymore, and I want to do some traveling," Dantzler, 66, said Wednesday. "My wife and I have a motor home, and there's a lot of the United States we haven't seen yet."

His decision comes just a week after Rep. Ben Hagood, R-Sullivan's Island, announced he wouldn't seek another term.

Hagood has been one of Gov. Mark Sanford's staunchest allies in the House, but that's not so much the case with Dantzler. However, Dantzler said Sanford's reform push — one aimed at putting political heat on lawmakers who have blocked his restructuring agenda — didn't factor into his choice to step down.

"I've been on his list before," Dantzler said. "I guess you just reach a time when you feel you've done all you can do and you want to get along with your life."

Dantzler, a veterinarian, said he was proudest of his role in helping to reform the state's veterinary guidelines and in reforming auto insurance. "I have no regrets. I feel like I've worked hard for my district, and I've done the best I could."

Scott said he has met with focus groups about possibly running for the seat. "We are researching it. I've been praying about it for a long time, and I feel like I'll make a decision here shortly," he said.

While the district covers more of Berkeley County than Charleston County, Scott said, "I feel like much of what's important in this district I can represent authentically."

Filing for House, Senate and local offices runs from March 17-31.

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@post andcourier.com.