Politics & Government

Timeline Set For Congressional Election to Replace Tim Scott

The primary will be held March 19.

The timeline to elect a new congressman for South Carolina has been set.

Gov. Nikki Haley announced today that she had signed an executive order to set election dates to replace Rep. Tim Scott, who has been selected to take Jim DeMint's Senate seat.

The primary will be held March 19. The runoff will be held April 2. And the general election will be held May 7. Based on the timeline for the election officials said candidate filing for the seat will likely open at noon on Friday, Jan. 18 and close at noon on Monday, Jan. 28.

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The final day to register as a voter prior to the primary will be Feb. 16, and the last day to register to vote ahead of the general election will be March 6.

With potentially dozens of candidates interested in the race a run-off election following the primary round is a distinct possibility. Several people have already announced plans to run including former Charleston County Councilman Curtis Bostic, current Charleston County Councilman Elliott Summey, former Gov. Mark Sanford, and Robert "Teddy" Turner.

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Several other candidates are being mentioned as interested in the seat as well including S.C. Rep. Chip Limehouse, S.C. Rep. Peter McCoy, S.C. Sen. Chip Campsen, S.C. Rep Jim Merrill, S.C. Rep. Andy Patrick, S.C. Sen Larry Grooms, former Charleston County Auditor Elizabeth Moffly, among nearly two dozen people named by the Charleston County GOP.

A potential wild card is Jenny Sanford, the former First Lady.

Speculation has been more muted on the Democratic side of the aisle however. Charleston County Democratic Party leaders declined to comment on the race Wednesday, but said a statement would be issued in the near future. So far only S.C. Rep. Wendell Gilliard is the only potential candidate that has been mentioned, according to reporting at ABCNews4.


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