Former South Carolina Governor and Congressman Mark Sanford has filed to run for his old U.S. House seat in the state’s 1st Congressional District. The Republican primary, set for June 9, will determine who replaces Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), who is vacating the seat to run for governor.
Sanford, 65, previously held the seat from 1995-2001 and 2013-2019. He lost his 2018 reelection bid to a Trump-backed challenger, Katie Arrington, who then lost the general election to a Democrat. Sanford is running on a platform focused on fiscal responsibility, particularly reducing the national debt and government spending.
Sanford enters a crowded primary with at least 15 Republicans and Democrats vying for the seat. He has $1.3 million in campaign funds from previous runs, giving him a financial advantage. His candidacy follows years out of politics, including a failed 2020 presidential bid challenging Trump.
Sanford’s political career has been marked by controversy, including a 2009 extramarital affair that led to his resignation as governor. Despite the scandal, he returned to Congress in 2013. His criticism of Trump has been a recurring theme, with the former president endorsing his 2018 primary opponent.
The race is seen as competitive, with Sanford’s fiscal conservatism and past experience likely to be key factors. The primary will determine whether he can reclaim his old seat in a district that has swung between parties in recent elections.