The St. Matthews farmer said he would seek the position when the House holds its organizational meeting on Tuesday.

"As of now, I haven't heard if anybody else is going to be challenging me for it," said Ott, who was re-elected to his fourth term earlier this month.

Rep. James Smith, D-Columbia, said last week he would not seek a second term for the post to focus on constituent services.

The position has changed hands frequently, most citing the rigors and responsibilities that come with the job.

Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter of Orangeburg was House minority leader from 1996 until Rep. Doug Jennings took over the job in 2000. Smith picked up the job in 2002.

Ott has avoided the role when it opened in the past, he said, because of the time-consuming duties that include traveling around the state recruiting candidates and raising money.

Now, "I think the time is right. With James Smith stepping down, it's an opportunity. I'm going to give it a try," he said.

It's not easy being a Democrat in a state dominated by Republicans, who control the governor's office and both chambers of the Legislature.

Ott said the party lost its traditional dominance in South Carolina because "for a long time, we've allowed Republicans to identify who Democrats are, what we stand for."

He said it's the Democratic Party that best represents "the interests of average working South Carolinians," and he said the party is not anti-values or anti-faith as the Republicans have suggested.

"I take my Christian faith very seriously," he said.

The top issues facing the Legislature are clear, Ott said, citing "education, affordable health care for elderly and children, reduction of property taxes and making sure we take care of our state employees."

Ott is hoping governance won't get quite so partisan on the state level.

"In my first six years in the House, I have been able to reach across party lines to forge reasonable compromises," said Ott, whose bipartisan initiatives include rejuvenating and co-chairing the Rural Caucus.

"Where we can agree, I want to reach out and work with (the Republican leadership) and try to reach a consensus," Ott said.

But he acknowledged that "sometimes we disagree" on how to address the issues. "If they choose to fight, then we'll just have to tee it up and have a fight," he said. "But I don't want to be a part of bickering and fighting just for the sake of party politics. That holds the state back."

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