COLUMBIA, S.C. - Mike Campbell plans to tap into his father's political clout as he challenges fellow Republican Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer in the 2006 primary race.

Campbell already has opened a campaign office in Columbia and has started putting together a campaign team that brings back familiar faces who ran races for his father - former Gov. Carroll Campbell.

Bob McAlister, former chief of staff to Gov. Campbell, will be a senior adviser, along with Tim Brett, a Greenville public relations consultant. Mack Whittle, chief executive of South Financial Group, and Paula Bethea, former president of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, will be on his finance committee.

"We're bringing back a good number of the old Campbell team," said Mike Campbell, a 36-year-old Columbia business consultant. "This is going to be a concerted Campbell effort."

Political observers say this race will be worth watching.

"It could be a real doozy," said Francis Marion University political science professor Neal Thigpen, a Republican activist.

College of Charleston professor Bill Moore, who does not participate in partisan efforts, said Mike Campbell has a popular name in this Republican-heavy state.

"Young Campbell would immediately become the front-runner, even though Bauer is the incumbent," Moore said. "Many Republicans are not enthralled with Bauer. I would be very surprised if Bauer was able to hold onto his seat."

Bauer knows Mike Campbell from their college days at the University of South Carolina. Mike Campbell is "a good man," Bauer said. "I'd rather not run against him."

Mike Campbell shouldn't take Bauer for granted, Thigpen said. "He (Bauer) will work. The kid is a dynamo as a campaigner."

But Bauer has had his share of bad publicity. In 2003, he was ticketed for running red lights and causing a police officer to draw his gun in downtown Columbia. That same year, he caught flak for suggesting the cash-strapped state sell naming rights to public buildings, roads and bridges.

The introduction of Mike Campbell into politics introduces a new dynamic into a normally dull race for what is essentially a part-time, ceremonial position that pays $46,545 a year.

Mike Campbell, a Greenville native, is co-owner of 19 Wendy's fast-food restaurants in South Carolina and two business development companies, said he wants to run to continue his father's legacy.

Carroll Campbell, governor from 1987 to 1995, left office an extremely popular figure. He is credited with building the state GOP into the political force it is today.

"I saw the accomplishments that Dad had when he was in office. You know I think most people would agree that he had the state headed in a good direction, particularly in the area of economic development."

BMW was the crown jewel of his father's economic development efforts. Carroll Campbell also led the charge to restructure state government.

The former governor is suffering from Alzheimer's disease and won't be able to take part in the his son's campaign. "But he'll be there in soul and spirit," Mike Campbell said.

And, despite the political allure of his family's name, the younger Campbell has yet to undergo public scrutiny.

"The only thing we know about Mike is he's from a well-established, well-known Republican family," Thigpen said.