South Carolina Gov. Haley finalizes shortlist for Sen. DeMint replacement

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) has finalized her shortlist of candidates to replace outgoing Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), according to a source close to the governor.

The list includes five Republican South Carolina politicians who are close to Haley: Rep. Tim Scott, Rep. Trey Gowdy, former state Attorney General Henry McMaster, former first lady Jenny Sanford and Catherine Templeton, a conservative attorney Haley has picked to head the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.

One name notably not on the list: Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), who said last week he thought he was in the mix and sources say has been considering a Senate run.

The source said Haley's order of preference of the candidates is "still fluid."

CNN first reported the list in a story Haley refuted during a Tuesday afternoon press conference, according to local reports. She said only her husband knows who's on the list.

Scott has been the most buzzed-about name, and sources told The Hill last week that he is DeMint's preferred replacement. Sanford and McMaster were both major backers of Haley's gubernatorial run.

— Posted at 12:01 p.m. and updated at 1:05 p.m.

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