South Carolina Rep. Henry Brown (R) will announce his retirement from Congress today at a 2 p.m. press conference, according to The Palmetto Scoop, a conservative South Carolina website. Brown, 74, reportedly factored age and life in the minority party into his decision.

Brown's exit from the 2010 sweepstakes adds to the growing number of Republicans (14) not seeking re-election next year, and he is the second GOPer in the last week to announce his retirement -- Rep. George Radanovich (R-Calif.) is leaving Congress to tend to his wife. Brown and Radanovich are the only two not seeking higher office.

Brown would have faced a difficult primary, with potential candidates including: Carroll "Tumpy" Campbell III, son of the late governor Carroll Campbell; Isle of Palms City Councilman Ryan Buckhannon; 2008 challenger Katherine Jenerette; and attorney Mark Fava.

Politico adds another name to the mix -- Charleston County Council member Paul Thurmond, son of the late Strom Thurmond.

The coastal district leans Republican, with John McCain winning 56 percent in 2008 and George W. Bush winning 61 percent four years earlier. Until 2008 when he won by a slim 4-point margin, Brown had easily won re-election since coming to Congress in 2000.