All in the Family: Southern Edition

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South Carolina: Hollings vs. Campbell in '06?

In early 1991, S.C. political circles were abuzz with speculation that two of the state's most popular politicians, Democratic U.S. Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings and Republican Gov. Carroll Campbell, were about to go head-to-head against one another.

For a variety of reasons, that battle for Hollings' seat in the 1992 election never took place. But now, a Campbell-Hollings showdown finally might be shaping up for 2006. Only, 14 years later, the players would be their sons, Mike Campbell and Michael Hollings. The stakes, too, would be different: lieutenant governor of South Carolina, a part-time job with a $46,000 salary and mostly ceremonial duties.

The younger Campbell, 37, who has been running since February, first faces the task of defeating incumbent Andre Bauer in the Republican primary. Most political observers say that, at this point, they don't see that happening, because Bauer is a tireless campaigner with a knack for charming voters.

Democrat Michael Hollings, 54, announced his candidacy last week. He might have an easier road to the election, as no other Democratic candidate has yet emerged.

If both Campbell and Hollings make it into the November 2006 general election, some political observers say the race between them could generate much more interest than the usually lackluster contests for the state's No. 2 office.

Alabama: Big political names look at lieutenant governor's race

The race for lieutenant governor next year could feature two of the biggest family names in Alabama political history: Wallace and Folsom.

George Wallace Jr. said Thursday he's planning to run as a Republican. Friends of Jim Folsom Jr. said he's considering entering as a Democrat.