COLUMBIA, S.C. - Democrats have tapped a member of former Gov. Jim Hodges' administration to challenge party-switcher Rep. George Bailey of St. George.

Lachlan McIntosh filed on Thursday to run for House Seat 97 in Dorchester County.

Bailey's last-minute switch to the Republican Party on filing day had left the Democrats without a candidate. But a Circuit Court judge had given Democrats more time to find a candidate after the party sued to have Bailey thrown off the ballot altogether.

Democrats were angered by Bailey's switch after he had already filed to run for his longtime seat as a Democrat.

McIntosh served as a legislative liaison for Hodges, who was defeated by Republican Gov. Mark Sanford in 2002. McIntosh also has served as an aide to U.S. Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings, D-S.C.