Filed by KOSU News in Politics.
December 17, 2012

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) plans to announce at noon ET her choice of successor for retiring Republican Sen. Jim DeMint, her spokesman tells The Associated Press.

DeMint, a Tea Party favorite, announced earlier this month that he’s stepping down to become president of the conservative Heritage Foundation.

As The Hill writes: “South Carolina Republican Reps. Tim Scott and Trey Gowdy have regularly been mentioned as possible replacements for DeMint. … Former South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster (R) and Catherine Templeton, who heads the state’s Department of Health and Environmental Control, are also on Haley’s shortlist.”

There’s also been talk that former South Carolina first lady Jenny Sanford might be Haley’s choice.

And then there’s the not-so-serious speculation about Stephen Colbert.

Update at 10:25 a.m. ET. Scott?

The New York Times says Haley has chosen Scott, according to “three Republican officials.” CNN is also reporting that news.

As The State adds, “Scott, 47, would become the first black U.S. senator from the South since Blanche Bruce of Mississippi in 1881.” [Copyright 2012 National Public Radio]