Is Strom Thurmond Jr. laying the groundwork for a major political campaign in South Carolina sometime in the future?

Former associates of his late father, the legendary U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, insist he is — it’s only a matter of time.

Thurmond isn’t talking.

His brother, 28-year-old Paul Thurmond, is a bit more up front about his own plans, however.

The Charleston lawyer hinted he might seek public office.

“I love helping people,” Paul Thurmond said. “I saw what my dad did in his position to help people. I would hope that someday I could be in a position where I would have the ability to help people. That appeals to me.”

He declined to talk about his brother.

Strom Thurmond’s recent announcement that he would step down as U.S. attorney on Jan. 20 to practice law in Aiken raised a few eyebrows in the political community, causing some to wonder how long it would be before he hit the campaign trail.

“I personally would encourage him to run for public office,” said Duke Short, the late senator’s longtime chief of staff and a close friend of the family.

The two conferred last week, Short said.

“He has done a great job as U.S. attorney,” Short said. “I know his father would be proud of him.”

Mark Goodin, former press secretary to the senator, said he wouldn’t be surprised if Thurmond ran for office.

So, what office would he seek, and when would he run?

With fellow Republicans occupying most positions of power and influence in the state, Thurmond would either have to wait for an office to open up or challenge an incumbent Republican.

Thurmond, 32, has plenty of time to think about it.

Taking on Gov. Mark Sanford — up for re-election in 2006 — would not be smart, said Winthrop University political science professor Scott Huffmon. Such a race would only serve to divide the GOP.

And victory would not be assured, Huffmon said, because “Sanford is enormously popular with Republicans and South Carolinians in general.”

If he had wanted, Thurmond probably could have stayed on as U.S. attorney, but that would not have been wise for someone weighing a run for political office, said Robert Botsch, a political scientist at USC Aiken.

“It would be easier to run for office from a private law firm,” Botsch said. Many law firms “like to have someone offering as a candidate; it’s good publicity for the firm.

“So, in terms of a career path, this is the right move for Thurmond to make.”

Thurmond has impressed voters and cohorts with his judgment and public persona.

Democrats and Republicans alike praised him for how he handled the revelation that Strom Thurmond Sr. — a one-time segregationist presidential candidate — had fathered a biracial child with a black maid while he was living in his parents’ Edgefield home.

Strom Thurmond Jr. demonstrated grace and dignity as the family spokesman during the public firestorm that followed Essie Mae Washington Williams’ announcement, many said.

And after initial skepticism that, at 28, he was too young and inexperienced to be U.S. attorney, Thurmond won over many critics.

Time is on Thurmond’s side. Political observers say it would be wise to move slowly and build up a personal fortune.

He could wait six years, when the governor’s office is likely to be up for grabs. He will be 38.

There are other possibilities. Thurmond could run for a state Senate or House position and work his way up through the ranks, gaining experience along the way — and then run for governor.

“I don’t see where he loses by biding his time,” said Francis Marion University analyst Neal Thigpen, a GOP activist, who said Thurmond should begin working for the Republican Party if he wants to run for office.

“Go to party conventions, hit the campaign trail for others, raise money for them,” Thigpen said.

Despite the magic of Thurmond’s name, rank-and-file voters still have some questions about Thurmond, Thigpen said:

“How does he respond to political pressures when under fire? What kind of personality does he have? Is he a good speaker? These are things voters will want to know about the young man.”

Thurmond has plenty of time to sort it out.

“I don’t think we’ll see an immediate announcement,” Huffmon said.

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