ORANGEBURG, S.C. - Democrats have 20 days to field a candidate for the House seat currently held by George Bailey of St. George.

Bailey's last minute switch to the Republican Party on filing day had left the Democrats without a candidate. Bailey will be allowed to stay on the ballot as a Republican.

Thursday's compromise was approved by Circuit Court judge and ends a lawsuit filed by Democrats, who were angered by Bailey's switch after he had already filed to run for his longtime seat as a Democrat.

The suit sought to have Bailey thrown off the ballot altogether.

Charleston attorney Truett Nettles, who represented the Dorchester County Democratic Party, said local party members are happy with the compromise.

Bailey has said that he told Democrats days before the filing deadline that he planned to run as a Republican. But Bill McIntosh, a former chairman of the Dorchester County Democratic Party and the party's filing officer, denies that.

Several Democrats are interested in running for the seat, McIntosh said. He said a candidate would not be chosen before the state convention next weekend.

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Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.charleston.net/