Haley's Finalists For DeMint Seat Have a Common Thread

Earlier on Tuesday, Peter Hamby of CNN reported that Gov. Nikki Haley has narrowed her choices to replace Jim DeMint as South Carolina's junior senator.

According to Hamby, they are:

Rep. Tim Scott (R-1)

Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-4)

Henry McMaster - Former SCGOP Chair and State Attorney General

Jenny Sanford - Former First Lady

Catherine Templeton - DHEC Director

The common thread between the favorites--Scott, Gowdy and Sanford--is they have or had a relationship with high-powered consultant Jon Lerner. Lerner worked on Haley's gubernatorial campaign in 2010 and also worked with Sanford after her divorce from then-governor Mark Sanford. Lerner has been on Scott's team for some time and sources tell Patch he's also worked with Gowdy.

That McMaster and Templeton are being mentioned as finalists is a way of Haley thanking them for their loyalty--McMaster for his support when Haley ran for governor and Templeton for surviving harsh criticism after Haley appointed her to lead DHEC.

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