FLORENCE -- Former Gov. David Beasley officially became a candidate for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Ernest Hollings' retirement Wednesday.

Surrounded by his family and friends in a room crowded with Republican supporters, Beasley said he considered the decision carefully before making it.

"I knew someday I wanted to return to public service," Beasley said. "It's a calling that's in my blood. But the question suddenly came up: was that someday right now, and what would be the impact on my family?"

Beasley enters a crowded field of Republicans running for a chance to face off against state Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum in November. He'll be trying to wrest votes away from U.S. Rep. Jim DeMint of Greenville, former Attorney General Charlie Condon, Charleston real estate developer Thomas Ravenel and Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride.

Unlike the other candidates, Beasley is getting a late start in raising funds for his campaign, but his recognition will likely take him a long way. A poll conducted in October by Republican pollster Richard Quinn showed Beasley ahead of all Republican candidates and Tenenbaum.

Beasley acknowledged his late entry, but said he is not deterred.

"There is no question that we started in the time sequence way behind," he said. "But I really think my candidacy offers the best chance for the Republicans to win."

Beasley's entry into the race has already drawn supporters away from other candidates.

"I had been in support of someone else," said Rep. Marty Coates of Florence. "But when this came about, I had to change."

Coates said he had thrown his support to DeMint, but called DeMint on Tuesday night to inform him he would support Beasley in the race. He said he wants a Republican to win the senate seat, and Beasley is the best candidate to beat Tenenbaum.

"I think it invigorates the whole group, the whole party," Coates said.

Beasley, who was defeated by Jim Hodges in the 1998 race, acknowledged several issues which gave him trouble in his one term as governor.

"Of course, certain decisions I made cost me politically," he said. "Especially decisions regarding video poker and the Confederate flag."

Beasley's support for removing the Confederate battle flag from the Statehouse dome cost him many votes from his political base. His dismantling of video poker cost him even more votes. But he said Wednesday that his positions were right, and he's learned from his defeat.

"This is simply a challenge I have chosen to answer," Beasley said. "And this is a campaign that calls out for a candidate who is willing to do what's right regardless of the political consequences."

Beasley said he doesn't think his position on the flag issue will harm him in the race.

"I'm confident from what I'm picking up from people across the state, that they put that all behind them," he said.

At least one other Republican candidate tried to take advantage of Beasley's press conference to further his own campaign. Supporters of Ravenel handed out press statements to the audience welcoming Beasley "to the fray."