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Former SC Governor Sanford Files to Run for Congressional Seat
Sanford, who previously held the seat, cites national debt as key issue in campaign
Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:12am
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As a familiar political figure returns to the campaign trail, the future of South Carolina's 1st congressional district remains uncertain.Former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford has filed to run for the congressional seat currently held by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC). Sanford previously represented the district from 1995 to 2001 before being elected governor. He is running on a platform focused on tackling the national debt and government spending.
Why it matters
Sanford's entry into the race for the open congressional seat has shaken up an already crowded Republican primary field. As a former governor and congressman, Sanford brings name recognition and a $1.3 million war chest, but his past controversies and broken term limit pledges have drawn criticism from his GOP opponents.
The details
Sanford represented South Carolina's 1st congressional district from 1995 to 2001 before being elected governor in 2002. During his second term as governor in 2009, he made national headlines when he disappeared for several days, claiming he was 'hiking the Appalachian Trail,' before admitting to an extramarital affair. Sanford survived an impeachment effort and completed his term. After a break from politics, he ran for and won back his old congressional seat in a 2013 special election, serving until 2018 when he was defeated in the Republican primary. Sanford then launched an unsuccessful long-shot bid for the 2020 GOP presidential nomination.
- Sanford filed to run for the congressional seat on the last day to register as a candidate in South Carolina.
- Sanford previously represented the 1st congressional district from 1995 to 2001.
The players
Mark Sanford
A former governor of South Carolina who previously represented the state's 1st congressional district for two different stints, from 1995 to 2001 and 2013 to 2018.
Nancy Mace
The current Republican representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district, who is leaving the seat to run for governor.
What they’re saying
“People have been telling me it's time to get off the bleachers”
— Mark Sanford
“Our nation's debt is the issue that will define whether this country survives in the form we've known it”
— Mark Sanford
What’s next
Sanford's entry into the race has already drawn criticism from his Republican opponents, who have accused him of breaking term limit pledges and running 'because he cannot give up the spotlight'. The crowded GOP primary field will now compete to face the eventual Democratic nominee in the general election for the open congressional seat.
The takeaway
Sanford's return to politics after a series of controversies during his time as governor has shaken up the race for South Carolina's 1st congressional district. His focus on the national debt and government spending could resonate with voters, but his past missteps and broken promises have also made him a target for his GOP rivals.
