HIDDEN AGENDAS ARE BEST USED DURING ELECTION SEASON, ON ABC'S "SCANDAL"

"The Candidate" - Mellie seeks out Olivia's help but may not be prepared for what that entails, and Liz tries to convince Susan Ross to run for the presidency. Meanwhile, Abby and Cyrus are at odds when a profile piece on Fitz comes into question, on "Scandal," THURSDAY FEBRUARY 18 (9:00-10:00 p.m. EST) on the ABC Television Network.

"Scandal" stars Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, Guillermo Diaz as Huck, Darby Stanchfield as Abby Whelan, Katie Lowes as Quinn Perkins, Tony Goldwyn as President Fitzgerald Grant, Jeff Perry as Cyrus, Bellamy Young as First Lady Mellie Grant, Joshua Malina as David Rosen, Scott Foley as Jake Ballard, Portia De Rossi as Elizabeth North and Cornelius Smith Jr as Marcus Walker.

Guest cast TBA.

The Candidate" was written by Alison Schapker and directed by Allison Liddi Brown.

The series is created by Shonda Rhimes ("Grey's Anatomy," "How to Get Away with Murder"). Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers ("Grey's Anatomy," "How to Get Away with Murder"), Mark Wilding and Tom Verica are executive producers. "Scandal" is produced by ABC Studios.

"Scandal" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.