Report: Local Senate Race May Expand

Will she, or won't she?

Former WIS-TV reporter and anchor Kara Gormley Meador is reportedly considering a run for the District 18 Senate seat currently held by Ronnie Cromer (R-Prosperity), The State reports.

Meador, also a Republican, had wanted to run against District 23 Sen. Jake Knotts (R-West Columbia), but has learned that the recent redrawing of state Senate districts puts her in Cromer's district, which encompasses parts of Lexington and Union counties, and all of Newberry County.

"I’d have to think about it," she told the paper about running against Cromer. "My major impetus was feeling I could make a huge difference in [District] 23." 

Meador, who considers herself "extremely conservative" and produced exposes on Knotts while at WIS, said Thursday she had not decided yet if she would run against Cromer.

Though official filing for state Senate seats does not open until March, Meador likely won't be alone if she does decide to run. Lexington County Republican Party chairman Rich Bolen has already announced he plans to challenge Cromer. 

Meantime, Knotts so far is being challenged by Katrina Shealy, who ran against him unsuccessfully in 2008.