WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rick Wade, the former Commerce Department official and national African-American vote director for President Barack Obama, will run for the United States Senate against Tim Scott, a source with direct knowledge of Wade’s plans tells theGrio.
Scott, who was appointed to the Senate by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, is expected to run for a full term next November.
Wade’s entrance sets up an historic race between two black candidates for statewide, federal office in South Carolina, in which neither man is expected to face a primary challenge.
“The [Democratic] field has been cleared” for Wade, the source said.
Wade, who chaired Obama’s successful South Carolina primary in 2008 against Hillary Clinton, was appointed by the president as senior adviser and deputy chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Commerce during Obama’s first term. He now runs a business consulting firm and divides his time between Washington D.C. and his home state.
Wade has hinted at a run since late August. He is expected to announce his candidacy early next month.
Follow Joy on Twitter at TheReidReport