State Rep. Tim Scott, who is running for lieutenant governor, was in Washington, D.C., last week meeting with the National Republican Congressional Committee, potential fundraisers and other interest groups as he considers switching to a House race.

“I’m fairly close to making the decision to run for Congress,— Scott said in an interview.

Scott is considered an up-and-comer in the state Republican Party and has been viewed as a frontrunner in the lieutenant governor’s race.

Scott said he intends to make a final decision by Monday on whether to drop his gubernatorial bid and enter the crowded primary to replace retiring Rep. Henry Brown (R) in the 1st district.

“At the end of this month I need to be in or out,— he said.

Scott is an insurance agent who, when he was elected to the state legislature in 2008, became the first black Republican to serve in the South Carolina state House since the 19th century.