The Eye

"Mark Sanford made a lot of news when he disappeared, but he's been AWOL on jobs since the day he took office," said Drake, in a jab at the sitting Republican governor, who is term-limited out of office in 2010. Sanford created a huge stir when he surreptitiously flew to Argentina without alerting anyone of his whereabouts.

It turned out he went to Latin America to visit a woman with whom he was conducting an affair. Sanford has managed to fend off calls for his resignation since the scandal broke, but Democrats are unlikely to let the issue die down as they seek to score political points in advance of 2010.

Drake drew headlines earlier this year by providing pro-bono legal advice in the lawsuit to force Sanford to accept a portion of the federal stimulus funds provided to the state. The co-plaintiff in the lawsuit, teenager Casey Edwards provided a testimony in Drake's campaign video, saying Drake "was involved in the lawsuit because he has a heart for students in South Carolina."

Drake's announcement garnered an immediate and testy reaction from fellow Democratic candidate, state Sen. Vincent Sheheen. Sheheen sent an e-mail to supporters soliciting donations in light of Drake's announcement, writing, "I have no doubt that super-lobbyist Dwight Drake will have all the money he needs to compete," which "he'll be raising ... from his clients - payday lenders, big tobacco and big oil."

Other Democrats in the race include attorney Mullins McLeod and state Sen. Robert Ford. South Carolina Superintendent of Education Jim Rex recently disclosed he is considering the race, and plans to make an announcement in September. Rex would be a formidable candidate, should he decide to run.

The Republican race is shaping up as a battle of heavy hitters between U.S. Rep. J. Gresham Barrett, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, Attorney General Henry McMaster and state Rep. Nikki Haley. Barrett and Haley are declared candidates, McMaster has filed the paperwork for a campaign but is waiting until later this month to officially launch his campaign, and Bauer is also undeclared but likely to run.

Joining those four in the GOP field is state Sen. Larry Grooms. Furman University professor Brent Nelsen was exploring a gubernatorial bid as a Republican, but announced late last month that he was opting to run for state education superintendent, instead.

CQ Politics rates the general election Leans Republican.

To follow the 2009 and 2010 governors' races, check out CQ Politics' election map.