In S.C, Sanford's Exit Will Leave a Wide Open Field for Governor

Even if South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford had not self-destructed this year in a scandal over his extramarital affair, he couldn't have run again because of term limits. That has created an open field in both parties of candidates seeking the job.

But right now the common denominator for most is that they are not well-known, and the one who is best-known -- Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer -- is not particular popular, according to a Public Policy Polling survey conducted Dec. 3-6.

PPP says state Attorney General Henry McMaster, a Republican, and Superintendent of Education Jim Rex, the Democrat, appear to be earlier favorites to face off in a general election based on the favorability ratings of all the contenders among voters in their respective parties.

Thirty-six percent of Republicans have a favorable opinion of McMaster, 23 percent view Bauer positively and four-term Rep. Gresham Barrett is viewed favorably by 19 percent.

Among Democrats, Rex is viewed favorably by 27 percent and state senators Robert Ford and Vincent Sheheen by 20 percent and 16 percent respectively.

In a general election match-up of McMaster and Rex, the Republican leads 40 percent to 31 percent with 29 percent undecided.