Former South Carolina governor Mark Sanford has ended his latest political comeback bid, years after his career was derailed by a scandal involving a disappearance to Argentina with his mistress. Sanford, 65, filed paperwork just before the March 30 deadline to run in the June 9 Republican primary for South Carolina's first congressional district. However, on Thursday, he dropped out of the race, stating his intention to focus on fighting the national debt through a grassroots organization.
Sanford's Decision to Withdraw
Sanford told the Associated Press that he felt he could have a greater impact on debt-related issues outside of Congress. 'Start small, but I have a fair size circle of friends and folks with whom I have some degree of influence and contacts,' he said. He added that his focus in Congress would be too broad to effectively address the national debt. 'There are no guarantees with life, but I think that this has a better chance of elevating that issue, if I worked earnestly on it, than I was going to with the course that I was on with the campaign.'
Scandal and Political Rise
Sanford's political career was overshadowed by a well-known affair during his tenure as South Carolina governor from 2003 to 2011. In June 2009, Sanford disappeared without notice, only for it to be revealed that he had traveled to Argentina to be with his mistress, Maria Belen Chapur. He survived an impeachment inquiry and calls to resign, leaving office at the end of his term. His then-wife, Jenny Sanford, later filed for divorce after moving out of the governor's mansion with their four sons.
Current Republican Primary Field
Ten other Republicans are vying for the GOP nomination in South Carolina's first congressional district, including John McGrath, Christen Norrman, Dan Brown, Jay Byars, Logan Cunningham, Tyler Dykes, Sam McCown, Cindy Riley, Jenny Costa Honeycutt, and Alex Pelbath. Incumbent Nancy Mace, who has held the seat since January 2021, is running for governor.
Grassroots Project and Future Plans
Sanford envisions his grassroots project as akin to 'a Turning Point USA exclusively focused on our nation's unsustainable debt.' He cited the NRA and AIPAC as effective voices in Washington and hopes to create a team dedicated to limiting the size of the federal government's plate. He will use the more than $1.3 million remaining in his federal account since leaving Congress in 2019 to fund the initiative. Sanford did not completely rule out a return to politics but suggested it was unlikely, citing a desire to spend more time with family as his first grandchild is expected soon.
Past Controversies
Sanford's political comeback attempts have been marred by scandal. After serving as governor, he returned to Congress but lost his seat in 2018. An unsuccessful presidential primary challenge against Donald Trump in 2019 seemed to end his political prospects. More recently, Sanford was accused of having a relationship with journalist Olivia Nuzzi, who was engaged to Ryan Lizza. Lizza claimed he found a love note Nuzzi allegedly wrote to Sanford, whom she profiled for New York Magazine. The Daily Mail has reached out to Sanford for comment on his future plans.
