Former Sen. John Courson’s seat needs a tenant.

Only one candidate for the seat in the heavily Republican Chapin-Irmo district has offered so far.

And he’s a Democrat – former Columbia prosecutor Dick Harpootlian.

But no Republicans have stepped forward.

The most likely candidate, 9-term state Rep. Nathan Ballentine of Chapin told the media he has no plans to run for the empty seat.

Ballentine said, “I ran for re-election to the State House this year because we need the best representation possible. My tenure and relationships in the House are important and can impact the lives of those who reside in this community.”

As a local lawyer and former state Democratic Party Chair, Harpootlian has been colorfully outspoken.

Harpootlian was called “not controllable” and a “huge pain” in 2014 emails leaked by Wikileaks that were reportedly sent by Democratic leaders.

Harpootlian backed Barack Obama instead of Hillary Clinton in 2008 and has backed Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders more recently.

He criticized Hillary Clinton’s “imperial image” in a Washington Post interview.

He plans to run for former Senate Education Committee chairman John Courson’s Senate seat.

Courson resigned and pled guilty to misconduct in misuse of campaign money.

Filing for the seat begins June 22 and ends June 30.