House Speaker David Wilkins, a leading fund-raiser for President Bush, is the White House’s choice for U.S. ambassador to Canada, according to sources familiar with the nomination process.

Wilkins, R-Greenville, would not comment. But others said Wilkins was going to get the job — a plum assignment because Canada is the United States’ largest trading partner.

White House officials would not comment Thursday on who would be nominated to succeed Paul Cellucci, who resigned March 18 as U.S. ambassador to Canada.

In 2001, Bush considered Wilkins for ambassador to Chile and a federal judgeship. Wilkins withdrew his name both times.

Once nominated, Wilkins would have to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

The speaker said the buzz about Canada was just talk.

“All these rumors sound to me like the old rumors being recycled,” he said. “I’m not going to give them credibility by commenting about them further.”

Bush is expected to visit South Carolina Thursday as part of his national tour to drum up support for retooling Social Security.

For many years, Wilkins has been a close ally and friend of the president and his father, President George H.W. Bush.

In 2003, Wilkins raised at least $200,000 for Bush — enough to achieve the coveted “Ranger” status among Bush fund-raisers.

Word that Wilkins might leave spread furiously through the State House this week, sending Republicans — and at least one Democrat — scrambling for Wilkins’ post.

The job, which is elected by the members of the House, is critical because the speaker sets the agenda for what the House will — and will not — consider.

Among the hopefuls if Wilkins does step down are: Republican Reps. Bobby Harrell of Charleston; Jim Harrison of Columbia; Harry Cato of Greenville; and Doug Smith of Spartanburg.

Harrell, Harrison and Cato chair key committees. Smith is speaker pro tem.

Former House Democratic leader Doug Jennings, D-Marlboro, also is interested in running, lawmakers said, though it would be difficult for a Democrat to win in the Republican-dominated House.

Wilkins moved quickly to stop the competition.

He met this week with all the would-be candidates and Minority Leader Harry Ott, D-Calhoun, asking everyone not to campaign unless he actually resignsas speaker.

“Everybody’s heard the rumors,” said Harrell, chairman of the House budget-writing committee. “If the Speaker left, I would probably run. But until he goes somewhere, there’s no race.”

Harrell said he is not actively campaigning for the job. “I hope nobody’s out there doing that.”

The other candidates also said they would respect the speaker’s request.

“It’s been a big distraction for him,” Cato said.

Although Democrats hold just 50 of the 124 seats in the House, their votes could be critical. If all 50 voted together and the Republicans’ votes were fractured, they could decide who wins.

Ott already is trying to strategize. “I would like for all of our members of the Democratic Caucus to not make commitments at this time until we can come up with a plan.”

House Majority Leader Jim Merrill, R-Charleston, pledged the Democrats would not control who becomes speaker.

Staff Writers Jeff Stensland and Lauren Markoe contributed. Reach Talhelm at (803) 771-8339 or jtalhelm@thestate.com