(AP) -- South Carolina lawyer Chad McGowan has taken the first formal steps to run for Republican U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint's seat.
The Democrat from Rock Hill declared himself a candidate for the 2010 race to the Federal Election Commission last week. McGowan's filing is the first official step in entering the Democratic Party Primary and he said he would not have taken that step if he weren't seriously considering a bid. He'll make a formal announcement later.
DeMint formally announced his bid for a second term Monday. His campaign says he has $2.8 million in cash on hand.
McGowan also has an Internet page that asks for donations but offers no details of the campaign.
Democrat Mike Ruckes of Summerville is running but the FEC has no online record of that.
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