Mike Campbell — son of Republican godfather and former Gov. Carroll Campbell — will challenge Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer next year in what promises to be a battle of rising GOP stars.

“This is going to be a concerted Campbell effort,” the 36-year-old Columbia business consultant told The State Tuesday — in a clear sign the younger Campbell plans to tap his father’s considerable political clout to take down a fellow Republican.

The thought of the Campbell political machine roaring back into action against Bauer’s grass-roots campaigning skills has observers salivating over the 2006 GOP primary.

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

“It may be the only race,” said College of Charleston professor Bill Moore, who does not participate in partisan efforts. “The governor’s race doesn’t look like it is going to be very exciting.”

Campbell, a Greenville native, is co-owner of 19 Wendy’s fast-food restaurants in South Carolina, and two business development companies.

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

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.

Bauer, 35, called Campbell — whom he knows from their shared college days at USC — “a good man.”

“I’d rather not run against him,” Bauer said.

Campbell shouldn’t take Bauer for granted, Thigpen said. “He (Bauer) will work. The kid is a dynamo as a campaigner.”

Campbell already has opened a campaign office on Devine Street and has started putting together a campaign team that reads like a who’s who of his father’s races.

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 S.C. Chamber of Commerce, will be on his finance committee.

“We’re bringing back a good number of the old Campbell team,” Mike Campbell said.

The power of that political machine introduces a new dynamic into a normally dull race for what is essentially a part-time, ceremonial position that pays $46,545 a year.

“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 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.

Moore predicted the lieutenant governor’s race could end up becoming the main election-year focus if the governor’s contest turns out to be one-sided. Republican Gov. Mark Sanford is popular with the public, and S.C. Democrats, in the midst of a losing streak, have yet to come up with a candidate.

The lieutenant governor’s race would then “get an inordinate amount of publicity,” he said.

Campbell said he wants to run to continue his father’s legacy.

“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.

Mike Campbell said he realizes the office of lieutenant governor has little, if any, clout. But he hopes that may change as government restructuring makes the lieutenant governor’s job one that is appointed by the governor.

If voters want a manager for change, “I ask them to give us a good, hard look.

“If they want some ceremonial gavel bearer,” he said, “then South Carolina doesn’t need me for that.”

The lieutenant governor’s job has been a stepping stone for politicians with ambitions — albeit unsuccessful in recent years — to run for governor.

“You can’t run for lieutenant governor and not be willing to serve in the role of governor,” Mike Campbell said. “Certainly, I understand that. But one of the things I learned from Dad was never to say never.”

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.