Former state Commerce Secretary Bob Royall said Monday he has no plans to enter the governor’s race next year — but if conditions are right he might “give it a shot.”

Several prominent business and professional leaders — unhappy with Gov. Mark Sanford’s leadership on economic development — have approached Royall, 70, about challenging Sanford in the 2006 Republican primary.

“I’m flattered,” said Royall, who served two years as U.S. ambassador to Tanzania under President Bush.

Members of the S.C. business community have expressed concern about the state’s 6.3 percent jobless rate, fourth highest in the nation; the lack of any real job growth; and the state’s inability to land any major new industry.

“Senior citizen leaders love South Carolina and will not allow continued regression without at least trying to prevent it,” Royall said.

He said he first heard rumors of a search for new leadership in the business community.

“You are picking up fragments of that concern with my name, and no doubt others who have been involved for years in trying to help South Carolina,” he said.

Sanford already has one GOP challenger: Dr. Oscar Lovelace, a Lake Murray doctor who has formed an exploratory committee. Two Democrats — Sen. Tommy Moore of Aiken and Florence Mayor Frank Willis — also plan to run.

Reach Bandy at (803) 771-8648 or lbandy@thestate.com.