Responding to a flurry of rumors, State Sen. Luke Rankin said Monday he is considering switching parties. He also is considering whether to seek re-election to a fourth term.

Rumors swirled around the Statehouse last week that Rankin, D-Myrtle Beach, would leave the Democrats and join the Republicans.

Rankin said Monday he will be talking to constituents, friends and advisers while considering his moves.

"It is my hope and expectation to finalize these decisions during the month of February," he said.

Filing for office begins in March. All senators and House members are up for election this year.

Senate Democratic Leader John Land of Manning said he hopes Rankin will not switch.

"Luke is a fine, fine senator, and he's doing a wonderful job for the people of Horry County, and you'd certainly hate to lose him as a Democrat," Land said.

Democrats lost their hold on the Senate in the 2000 elections. They are now outnumbered 26-19, with one vacancy.

In the Senate, the majority party claims all the committee chairmanships and gets most of the committee seats.

The Senate isn't as highly structured along party lines as the House, and members vote more independently, but party affiliation still is important to how things get done.

That is one reason he is talking with Senate Republican leaders about switching, Rankin said. His district has become more Republican in recent years, and residents favor the GOP in national elections, he said.

Horry County residents are "among the most independent-minded people in the state, and I've always tried to reflect that independence in my service," Rankin said.

"I believe Horry has benefited because of my ability to work well with members of both parties and with all people," he said.

"Regardless of my decisions, the people of Horry can be assured that I will continue to serve as their independent voice as long as I am allowed the honor of serving," Rankin said.

Horry County's six resident House members are all Republicans. The only Democratic house member is Jackie Hayes, D-Dillon, who represents a small part of western Horry County.

Two of the other three senators who represent part of Horry County are Democrats: Dick Elliott of North Myrtle Beach and Yancey McGill of Kingstree. Arthur Ravenel of Mount Pleasant is a Republican.

It isn't logical to change parties because more voters lean Republican, Land said.

"Then whatever the majority is, everybody ought to switch," Land said.

Rankin played a key role in forming the state Infrastructure Bank that helped Horry County get new road projects, and he has been active in statewide education issues, Land said.

"He knows we want him," Land said.

Land said he thinks the trend will begin reversing toward favoring Democrats, partly because public education has been "grossly underfunded" under Republican control and voters are catching on.

"I think the Republicans are going to prove the Democrats' case," Land said.