Lowcountry Legislators Eye Rep. Tim Scott's Seat

As Dorchester County and Summerville politicians participated in the Summerville Christmas Parade Sunday, a Mount Pleasant legislator was out shaking hands among the crowd. 

State Rep. Chip Limehouse smiled broadly. The Republican was in what he called home territory and said he's often at Summerville events. But he's also eyeing Congressman Tim Scott's seat that could become vacant if the tea party congressional star is nabbed for Gov. Nikki Haley's appointment to U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint's seat. And while Summerville isn't in Limehouse's state house district, it is in Scott's Congressional District 1.

"There's speculation that Gov. Haley may pick Tim Scott to fill the vacancy," Limehouse said. "It's not premature. It's just a good thing regardless of whether the race occurs or not ... If that occurs I will definitely be strongly considering entering the race. At this point, all I can say is that I hope Tim Scott gets picked by the governor."

A special election would be required to fill the Congressional seat. But Limehouse isn't the only politician waiting to see who the governor appoints. S.C. Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Goose Creek, has also expressed interest in seeking Scott's seat.

"I definitely would give it a hard look," Grooms said. "It's just premature talk right now."

The legislator formed an exploratory committee in 2000 for the seat, but decided against running. 

Grooms said there are probably a dozen other candidates who will want to enter a race for District 1.