Haley: No time in office needed to fill DeMint's seat

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) said she doesn't consider previous time in elected office a prerequisite for replacing Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.).

"It is not about time in office, which I think is the wrong way of looking at government," Haley told local reporters on Wednesday. "It's the effect and the result they can show in office."

Two of the five candidates on Haley's shortlist have no elected experience: former South Carolina first lady Jenny Sanford (R), and state agency head Catherine Templeton.

While Sanford hasn't held office, she was heavily involved in former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's (R) campaigns and policy-making before his extramarital affair and their subsequent divorce. She was also a big early backer of Haley's campaign, and the governor described her as a "confidante."

Others on Haley's list include Reps. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) as well as former South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster (R). Scott's name has been the one to receive the most attention.

Haley continued to play coy about a decision on Thursday, posting the lyrics to Adele's "Rumour has it" on her Facebook page without mentioning the seat.

Sources say she will pick a replacement for DeMint soon, though she has given no timeline for a choice. Whoever is chosen will be up for election in 2014, and could face a primary challenge.

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