COLUMBIA--State Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum is keeping in mind who would take her place if she ran for U.S. Senate and won.

The Democrat has said she would consider running for Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings' seat only if the 37-year veteran of the Senate retires next year.

But Tenenbaum said Republican Gov. Mark Sanford also could influence her decision to run because he would appoint her successor until the next general election.

"There's no question about it. I would expect a general understanding of the kind of person who would have to step in and that would not be a right-wing extremist," Tenenbaum said Tuesday.

Sanford's spokesman, Will Folks, said the governor would consider Tenenbaum's concerns if faced with appointing her replacement.

"The superintendent's involvement in the process of appointing a successor would be very important to the governor," the spokesman said.

Hollings, D-S.C., has not announced whether he will seek another term.