CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - The filing period is set to begin for those who want to run for South Carolina's vacant 1st Congressional District seat.
While a number of candidates have already announced, including former Gov. Mark Sanford, who once held the seat, the filing officially opens at noon on Friday.
The seat was left vacant when Gov. Nikki Haley appointed Rep. Tim Scott to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant when Jim DeMint resigned.
The district runs along the state's south coast from the Charleston area to Hilton Head Island.
The filing period closes at noon on Jan. 28 with primaries set for March 19. If needed, primary runoffs will be held April 3 with the special election set for May 17.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
