Mark Sanford, Former South Carolina Governor, Launches Comeback Bid for Congress

Sanford, whose political career was derailed by a high-profile affair, files to run in crowded Republican primary for his old House seat.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:05pm

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A serene, cinematic painting depicting a lone politician standing in a dimly lit government office, the scene bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of contemplation and nostalgia.As Mark Sanford seeks political redemption, the former South Carolina governor's return to Congress reflects the shifting landscape of post-scandal politics.

Mark Sanford, the former Republican governor of South Carolina whose political ambitions were damaged by a 2009 extramarital affair scandal, has filed paperwork to run for his old congressional seat in a crowded GOP primary. Sanford, 65, previously served in the House of Representatives and briefly ran for president in 2019 before dropping out. He is now seeking to return to Congress, running in a race to represent South Carolina's 1st Congressional District.

Why it matters

Sanford's comeback bid represents an attempt to revive his political career after a high-profile scandal that derailed his rise in the Republican Party. His candidacy also reflects the shifting dynamics within the GOP, where figures associated with the Trump era are facing challenges from more traditional conservatives focused on fiscal issues.

The details

Sanford has filed paperwork to join a crowded Republican primary for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District, which is currently held by GOP Rep. Nancy Mace. Mace is running for governor instead of seeking re-election. The 10 other Republican candidates in the June 9 primary include a state legislator, three county officials, a car dealer, a lawyer, a doctor and a retired Marine who was pardoned by former President Trump for his role in the January 6th Capitol riot.

  • In 2009, Sanford infamously left his aides to explain to reporters that he was hiking the Appalachian Trail, when he was actually having an extramarital affair in Argentina.
  • Sanford ran a long-shot, four-month presidential campaign against Trump in 2019 before dropping out.
  • Sanford published a book detailing his political beliefs in 2021, but has largely receded from public life during the Trump years.

The players

Mark Sanford

The former Republican governor of South Carolina whose political career was derailed by a high-profile extramarital affair in 2009. He is now launching a comeback bid for his old congressional seat.

Nancy Mace

The current Republican representative for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District, who is running for governor instead of seeking re-election.

Donald Trump

The former president who endorsed Sanford's primary opponent in 2018, helping to defeat him, and later pardoned a retired Marine running in the current GOP primary.

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What they’re saying

“People have been telling me it's time to get off the bleachers.”

— Mark Sanford

What’s next

The crowded Republican primary for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District will be held on June 9, 2026. If Sanford wins the nomination, he would then face the Democratic nominee in the general election in November.

The takeaway

Sanford's comeback bid represents an opportunity for him to revive his political career, but also highlights the shifting dynamics within the Republican Party as figures associated with the Trump era face challenges from more traditional conservatives. The race will be closely watched as a potential indicator of the GOP's future direction.