Image by bauer.jpg Yep. He's running.

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer played an odd role in the Mark Sanford soap opera, offering a promise that he would not to run for governor in exchange for Sanford's immediate resignation, followed by a memorably strange interview with The Associated Press and the usual Columbia mudbath.

But as The State reports, Bauer opens the 2010 race with significant advantages in money and name recognition.