COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - A large group of South Carolina Republicans are undecided about their choice for governor, but state Attorney General Henry McMaster is currently leading the field, a poll shows.

Rasmussen Reports released the results of its first poll regarding the election, which also features Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer and U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett. McMaster has been the state's attorney general since 2003.

The poll shows McMaster getting 21 percent of votes. Bauer is second with 17 percent, Barrett is third with 14 percent and state Rep. Nikki Haley follows with 14 percent.

McMaster is a former U.S. Attorney who has unsuccessfully run for U.S. Senate and lieutenant governor. He has also served as the chairman of the state GOP.

He recently decided to head a group of state attorneys general that is objecting to proposed federal health care legislation.

A provision in the Senate-approved health care plan exempts Nebraska from having to pay Medicaid expense increases. The language was inserted into the bill to gain the support of Sen. Ben Nelson, a Democrat from Nebraska, who offered the 60th and final vote needed to pass the plan aimed at expanding access to health care.

From Legal Newsline: Reach John O'Brien by e-mail at jobrienwv@gmail.com.