COLUMBIA, S.C. - Former Republican Gov. David Beasley announced Wednesday that he will join the race for the seat of retiring Democratic Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings.

Beasley said he began thinking of joining the race after a poll commissioned by Columbia political consultant Richard Quinn showed that Beasley could beat any of the four candidates in the Republican primary.

Beasley said he missed public service and thinks there needs to be a Republican majority in the Senate to support President Bush.

"If this election falls to a Democrat, Republicans could lose the majority next year. And the consequences of that loss would truly be catastrophic for America," he said in a news conference Wednesday. "This is a race that we cannot afford to lose and I honestly believe that my candidacy offers us the best opportunity for victory."

Beasley joins an already crowded field of GOP candidates: former state Attorney General Charlie Condon, U.S. Rep. Jim DeMint of Greenville, Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride and Charleston real estate developer Thomas Ravenel. Democrats in the race are state Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum and political newcomer Marcus Belk.

Beasley said he is working on gathering campaign staff and will begin raising money, although he would not say how much he hopes to raise. In the 2002 race for the seat of former U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, Republican winner Lindsey Graham raised more than $5.6 million. Democrat Alex Sanders, who was defeated, raised about $3.4 million.

Beasley said he expects to kick off the campaign before the end of the month by visiting cities across the state and outlining his platform.

The former governor served one term, losing to Democrat Jim Hodges in a 1998 election known for heavy spending from the video gambling industry that Beasley said he would outlaw.

Beasley, 46, was battered by his stand to remove the Confederate flag that flew atop the Statehouse dome. He also faced criticism for being too green when he served; Beasley was first elected to office at the age of 21 and became governor at 35.

Beasley said he has learned from his 1998 loss.

"Looking back, I should have done a better job communicating our positive message. But in my heart, I know we did the right thing," he said. "There are lessons in politics you only learn from adversity."

Along with the political beating, Beasley said he also has been touched by personal tragedy since his days in office. His mother died several years ago and pregnancy complications nearly took the life of his wife, Mary Wood.

"Today I'm older - a few more gray hairs - and hopefully a little wiser because of the path I've traveled," he said.

Since leaving office, Beasley has taught at Harvard University, done missionary work and received a Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum for his work to move the Confederate flag.

The other candidates, who have been campaigning and raising money for months, said Wednesday that they welcomed Beasley to the race and looked forward to a spirited campaign and exchange of ideas.

College of Charleston political scientist Bill Moore said Beasley's entrance to the field "makes him the candidate to beat." Whoever wins the GOP primary, or likely the runoff, will be the front-runner in the November general election because he will have coattails from President Bush, Moore said.