Former South Carolina Governor and Congressman Mark Sanford announced Thursday he is suspending his congressional campaign just 30 days after launching it. Instead, he plans to establish a nonprofit organization focused on combating the national debt. The 65-year-old Republican filed to run for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District on the final day of candidate filing, joining a crowded field seeking to succeed Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), who is running for governor.
Sanford, a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, previously served in Congress from 1995 to 2001 and as governor from 2003 to 2011. His political career was marked by a 2009 scandal involving an extramarital affair in Argentina, which led to his resignation as governor. He later returned to Congress in 2013 but lost his 2018 GOP primary after Trump endorsed his challenger.
In a statement, Sanford said his decision to leave the race was driven by a desire to address the national debt through grassroots efforts. 'The trajectory of debt and deficits isn’t a Republican problem or a Democrat problem—it’s an American problem,' he said. The nonprofit will operate as a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization, aiming to build a nationwide network to influence fiscal policy. Sanford also cited personal reasons, noting his first grandchild is on the way and expressing a desire to spend more time with family.
Sanford’s departure from the race leaves a competitive primary field, with candidates from both parties vying for the open seat. His nonprofit plans to focus on long-term financial sustainability, framing the debt as a bipartisan issue requiring sustained public pressure.