Scott looks to fill Brown's seat

State Rep. Tim Scott said Monday he is strongly considering dropping out of the lieutenant governor's race and running for the 1st Congressional District contest. He could make it official by next week.

"I think, ultimately, Representative (Henry) Brown's retirement announcement caught us all off guard a little bit," he said. "My first response was there was not much to think about. Then folks ... started calling me and asking me to consider it."

Scott, R-North Charleston, said as he has campaigned for lieutenant governor, he has talked about the economy, government transparency and the need to win back America one state at a time.

"People said, 'Why aren't you running for Congress if that's your agenda?' " he said.

His possible entry would further crowd an already crowded GOP field.

The party's current candidates include former Brown aide Stovall Witte, Isle of Palms City Councilman Ryan Buckhannon, Charleston businessman Carroll Campbell, GOP activist Katherine Jenerette of North Myrtle Beach and Charleston County Councilman and lawyer Paul Thurmond.

Three Democrats also are in the race: commercial pilot Robert Burton of Mount Pleasant, businessman Robert Dobbs of Georgetown and retired accountant Dick Withington of Horry County.

Campbell, who entered the race well before Brown decided to retire, has sought to build momentum from his early start. His campaign released the names of 45 supporters who have agreed to serve on his finance committee. He recently announced endorsements from three former GOP state chairmen.

"With the help of these leaders and others, I will continue to work hard to reach every voter with my message of jobs for South Carolina, strength against terrorism, an end to wasteful spending, support for our veterans and the promotion of conservative South Carolina values," Campbell said.

Scott is finishing his first term in the House and had been considered a front-runner in the race for lieutenant governor.

An insurance agent who also served for a decade on Charleston County Council, Scott became the first black Republican since Reconstruction to serve in the state House when his term began less than two years ago.

The last black Republican to serve in Congress was J.C. Watts of Oklahoma, who didn't seek re-election in 2002.

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