Jim DeMint Resigning

[CountryRoads]

I hope this doesn't end up costing Lindsey Graham his seat. DeMints are a dime a dozen in the GOP these days but Graham would be missed in the senate.

You actually LIKE Graham?!?!?! I guess there's a first for everything...

I personally think he's a scumbag, and very fake in his views.

[Keystone Phil]

Jenny Sanford is supposedly on the short list! Now that would be funny.

Other names: Tim Scott, Trey Gowdy, Henry McMaster and Catherine Templeton.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Henry McMaster is out of the running.  He was only being mentioned as a possibility if Haley wanted to appoint a caretaker until the special election and she has ruled that out.

I can't see Catherine Templeton as being likely for the same reason, but it's not impossible. Leading DHEC ain't exactly a springboard to higher office in South Carolina and Haley would probably prefer to not have to nominate a replacement for her.  However I can see Haley give naming her consideration if Templeton hints that she'd resign her current post to run for Scott's seat if he is appointed.  Even then, that would more likely affect whether she would name Scott than whether she would name Templeton.

(DHEC = Department of Health and Environmental Control. Basically a state-level combination HHS and EPA.)

[Keystone Phil]

Haley called McMaster last night and informed him that he is not getting the seat. It's surely Scott's now.

[CLARENCE 2015!]

I read it is Scott's...

[nclib]

I wonder if Scott's (presumed) pick is related to race? Not saying that Scott isn't qualified, just that the GOP has a history of tokenism. The irony would be that the SC's Gov. and Sens. are: a black Republican, an Indian woman Republican, and a (rumoredly) gay Republican.

If Scott's picked and runs in 2014, this would probably have not much impact on Graham's chances.

[Where's the Epstein Client List?]

I wonder if Scott's (presumed) pick is related to race? Not saying that Scott isn't qualified, just that the GOP has a history of tokenism. The irony would be that the SC's Gov. and Sens. are: a black Republican, an Indian woman Republican, and a (rumoredly) gay Republican.

If Scott's picked and runs in 2014, this would probably have not much impact on Graham's chances.

They need to understand that the true measure of your party's diversity is how diverse your voters are, not how diverse your candidates are.

[ajc0918]

They need to understand that the true measure of your party's diversity is how diverse your voters are, not how diverse your candidates are.

This is so true.

[Keystone Phil]

This is such a beautiful day for this country.

[Brittain33]

This is fascinating. Given that Scott is a down-the-line conservative Republican and a congressman, I don't know how any other congressman would make a case against him in the primary other than by arguing that "the people should have a say" in the primary.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Plus if any of the Congressmen want to go after a Senate seat, they'll most likely gun for Graham's.

[krazen1211]

Mick Mulvaney stated that he isn't interested in challenging Scott or Graham.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Mick Mulvaney stated that he isn't interested in challenging Scott or Graham.

The 5th district is such that if it were an open seat in 2014, the Democrats would have a slight chance of winning it, so he wouldn't get any support to challenge Graham.  That's not the case in the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th which are absolutely safe for the GOP.  Not that I think Wilson has the slightest interest in running for the Senate, but Duncan or Gowdy might, if they think they have a good chance of beating him.

[RogueBeaver]

Both Sanfords are considering a run for Scott's House seat... which of course used to be Mark Sanford's.

http://atr.rollcall.com/south-carolina-mark-sanford-studying-run-for-tim-scotts-seat/

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

It would be entertaining if they both ran.

[justfollowingtheelections]

Sanford vs Sanford lol

[RogueBeaver]

There's a long list of hopefuls, mostly state senators. TF, who'd have an edge assuming neither Sanford ran? And who do you think is likely to run?