(AP) -- South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer has raised more than $285,000 in a campaign account that's expected to help launch a bid for governor.
The Republican filed a campaign finance report Wednesday with the State Ethics Commission that shows he now has more than $825,000 on hand.
Bauer said Tuesday he will announce his plans for governor by the end of the month. He had offered not to run if Gov. Mark Sanford resigned.
Sanford left the state with no one clearly in charge in June to rendezvous with his lover in Argentina. He now faces a criminal ethics investigation tied to his use of state planes for personal and political purposes and unreported use of private planes owned by buddies and donors.
Sanford says he'll fight to stay in office.
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