Former Republican Gov. David Beasley has scheduled a news conference next week to discuss his potential candidacy for U.S. Senate.

“I’m going to make an announcement as to where I am in the decision-making process,” he said.

Beasley declined to elaborate.

He has been considering the race for several months.

Robert Adams, who served as Beasley’s campaign manager when he ran for governor in 1994, said he would be “shocked” if Beasley did not offer for the Senate. “My expectations are he will run.”

The news conference is tentatively set for Wednesday in Columbia.

Richard Quinn, a Columbia-based consultant retained by Beasley, said the former governor would be working on a statement over the weekend.

“I’m hopeful he’s going to be a candidate,” Quinn said. “We’d certainly have a winning candidate.”

Beasley could announce formation of an exploratory committee and delay a formal announcement until later.

Beasley would be joining a crowded field that includes U.S. Rep. Jim DeMint of Greenville, former state Attorney General Charlie Condon, Charleston real estate developer Thomas Ravenel and Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride.

The leading Democrat in the race is state Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum.

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