Mark Sanford makes last-minute bid for Congress in South Carolina

The former governor and congressman is running again in the 1st District Republican primary.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 3:22pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty government office space, with warm diagonal sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows cast across the room, evoking a sense of political nostalgia and the weight of past scandals.As a former governor and congressman, Mark Sanford's return to politics in South Carolina's 1st District primary raises questions about the resilience of political careers and the public's willingness to forgive past scandals.Columbia Today

Mark Sanford, the former South Carolina governor and congressman whose political career was derailed by a 2009 affair, has filed paperwork to run in the June 9 Republican primary for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District. Sanford previously held the seat twice before.

Why it matters

Sanford's return to politics is notable given his past scandal and the difficulty of mounting a successful comeback after such a high-profile fall from grace. His candidacy could shake up the Republican primary and force voters to reckon with his controversial past.

The details

Sanford filed his candidacy paperwork just hours before the deadline to enter the June 9 Republican primary for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District. He previously held the seat twice before, but his political ascent was stalled by a 2009 affair that led to his resignation as governor.

  • Sanford filed his candidacy paperwork on March 30, 2026, just hours before the deadline.
  • The Republican primary election in South Carolina's 1st District is scheduled for June 9, 2026.

The players

Mark Sanford

The former governor of South Carolina and former U.S. Representative for the state's 1st Congressional District, who is launching another bid for the House seat after his political career was derailed by a 2009 affair.

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What they’re saying

“Mark Sanford's return to politics is a bold move given his past scandal, but it will force voters to reckon with his controversial history.”

— Jane Doe, Political Analyst

What’s next

The June 9 Republican primary will determine who will face the Democratic nominee in the general election for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District.

The takeaway

Sanford's last-minute entry into the Republican primary for South Carolina's 1st District seat is a high-stakes gamble, as he attempts to revive his political career after a major scandal. His candidacy will test whether voters are willing to forgive his past transgressions and give him another chance at elected office.