Stephen Colbert's sister plans to run for Congress

Just when you think a race for a vacant Congress seat isn't getting enough headlines comes this out of South Carolina: The sister of comedian Stephen Colbert plans to run.

It's not a joke. Elizabeth Colbert-Busch intends to join the crowded field to succeed Republican Tim Scott.

Campaign manager Bill Romjue told the Associated Press that Colbert-Busch intends to file the paperwork next week and make a formal announcement.

The May 7 special election to replace Scott, who was appointed to the Senate, has been in the news this week because former South Carolina governor Mark Sanford has chosen the race as his venue for a political comeback.

Sanford had a very public fall from grace in 2009 when he tearfully copped to an extramarital affair with a woman from Argentina, now his fiancée. While several current GOP officeholders have announced their bids, Sanford starts the race with the highest name-recognition in the district -- which he already represented in Congress once.

Colbert-Busch is director of development at the wind-turbine testing facility at Clemson University. Her brother, Stephen, is a Comedy Central host whose satire about politics and campaign money -- and his fake presidential campaigns and super PAC -- has been an ongoing gag.

One thing about the open House seat: It is in a Republican stronghold. So if Colbert-Busch becomes the Democratic nominee, she could face an uphill battle against the GOP standard-bearer -- even if that person isn't Sanford.

Primaries will be held March 19 with runoffs on April 2.