Mark Sanford Enters Race for South Carolina’s 1st District Congress

Mark Sanford has officially announced his candidacy for South Carolina’s 1st District Congress, just a few months after some personal drama spurred rumors about his private life. This came on the heels of allegations from Olivia Nuzzi’s former fiancé suggesting that Sanford had an affair with the journalist.

Sanford is stepping into a contest against Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina). Mace plans to give up her congressional seat as she pursues the Republican nomination for governor. “People told me it was time to get off the bleachers,” Sanford, 64, commented in an interview, shedding light on why he decided to re-enter politics.

His history is quite the tale: he served two terms in Congress for the 1st District between 1995 and 2001, and again from 2013 to 2019. Before that, he was the Governor of South Carolina from 2003 until 2011. Interestingly, he tried for the Republican presidential nomination in 2020 but withdrew before the Iowa caucuses.

The First Congressional District, extending from Hilton Head Island to Charleston and along the South Carolina coast, is generally considered a “solid” Republican stronghold. His campaign site highlights his identity as a “Fiscal Conservative,” which seems to resonate with the current political climate.

“Our debt is the defining issue of whether this country can survive as we know it,” Sanford said in a recent statement, expressing how crucial he believes the matter is for future generations. His concerns extend to inflation, interest rates, and the overall economic state, reflecting his apprehension about government spending.

Reports indicate that Sanford will enter a competitive Republican primary with a significant financial advantage—a $1.3 million campaign fund that hasn’t been tapped in prior runs.

His past is, of course, not without its scandals. In 2009, he gained notoriety for claiming he was hiking the Appalachian Trail while actually being in Argentina with a mistress. Fast forward to last November, he was accused by journalist Ryan Rizza of an affair with Nuzzi, who happened to be Rizza’s ex-girlfriend.

The drama continued, with Nuzzi reportedly writing an incomplete handwritten letter to Sanford expressing regret after the affair. According to Rizza, Nuzzi became infatuated with Sanford after an interview during his 2020 presidential campaign, leading to texts and photos exchanged between them. Nuzzi later claimed their encounter was brief, noting they had only met once.

While Sanford has not publicly addressed the recent allegations, his focus remains on the political landscape ahead. With a complex history and a renewed campaign, it’ll be interesting to see how this unfolds.