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Mark Sanford to Make Congressional Bid Official

Returning to politics after two year absence.

 

As was reported on Patch last month, Mark Sanford will run for his old Congressional seat. The former Governor confirmed his bid today in an interview with The National Review. He will make an announcement on Wednesday.

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A former aide close to ex-Gov. Mark Sanford has confirmed to Patch that the former governor will seek his former congressional seat in the Lowcountry.

CNN's Peter Hamby was first to report that Sanford will seek the congressional seat in District 1 vacated by Tim Scott's appointment to the U.S. Senate.

The former aide told Patch, "Sanford is dead serious about this run. His dire predictions on America's fiscal future have come true. I wouldn't want to be running against him."

The official announcement is not expected until after Christmas.

Sanford will be the biggest name to enter the SC1 race, an 11-week sprint to a March primary. So far, Teddy Turner is the only Republican who has official declared, although Sen. Larry Grooms (R-Berkelely) and Charleston County Councilman Elliot Summey appear on the brink of entering, as does Rep. Peter McCoy (R-Charleston).

On Wednesday, Rep. Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston), removed himself from consideration leading to speculation that Democrats will not mount a serious challenge to the seat.

Sanford entered politics by winning the SC1 seat in 1994 and serving three terms before running successfully for governor in 2002. Sanford will have to resuscitate his image to be successful. A recent poll conducted by Public Policy Polling showed that more disapprove than approve of Sanford (44-40).

Much of Sanford's disapproval stems from his extramarital affair while governor with Maria Belen Chapur, a former television reporter from Argentina. In June 2009, Sanford disappeared from public view, having told his staff that he was hiking the Appalachian Trail. In fact, he was visiting Chapur in Argentina and admitted to it in a hastily-called press conference in the Statehouse lobby. Sanford and Chapur were engaged earlier this year.

Sanford resisted calls for his resignation and impeachment votes in the state legislature against him were defeated. But he was censured and forced to repay the state for funds used to travel to Argentina.

Nevertheless, Sanford will be considered a favorite in SC1 and will be able to raise the type of money needed to run a successful campaign.

Taft Matney, an Upstate Republican consultant told Patch, "Gov. Sanford has kept his federal campaign account open, but what’s yet to be seen his how he’ll do keeping that account full. It’s South Carolina, so I wouldn’t say Gov. Sanford’s return to Congress is completely out of the question, but at the same time, he definitely has an uphill climb."

Michael Mule', a Charleston-based political consultant, was not surprised by Sanford's entry and said, "Our country needs new solutions to today's problems."

Sanford's former wife Jenny was mentioned as a possible choice by Gov. Nikki Haley to replace Scott. She has also been among those talked about as a contender for SC1.

Keep up with all of Patch's coverage of South Carolina politics by following us on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE.

Related Topics: Jenny Sanford, Mark Sanford, SC1, South Carolina Congressional District 1, and Tim Scott

Terri Unknown

9:08 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012

Go back to Argentina or wherever ...you're not wanted in our state. Let someone with morals take that spot!!!

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Frank Zoccola

6:13 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Thank you, I was thinking the same

reg

9:11 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012

is that US congress, or congress in Argentina?

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Eli Kinc

1:31 pm on Friday, December 28, 2012

I hope it is Argentina -- we don't need more embarrassment to add the SC's worst list.

Brian Johnson

9:20 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012

Go Mark Sanford. You have my vote.

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Cookies Mom

6:13 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013

I guess the old adage is true-you can't fix stupid!

reg

9:34 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012

SCGOP is becoming more and more like reality television! We should get Mark and Jenny in some special - "Ex vs. Ex for Gov!!"

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Frank Zoccola

6:13 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013

We already have a gov. that makes reallity shows look serious

van crause

9:34 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012

Good for Mark Sanford the best governor we have ever had ....I don't care who is girlfriend wife or any of his personal life............got my vote. When the establishment in Columbia dislikes a governor, thats a good thing. DO NOT RULE OUT MARK SANFORD HE WILL BE BACK AND SHOULD BE.............

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reg

2:16 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

What about the fact that he had to go to court to explain his use of taxpayer dollars to fund that affair? On dozens of charges, and that he had to pay major fines for? Do you care about that?

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Frank Zoccola

12:58 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013

to say that sanford is the best governor we ever had, is alittle off line. We have had better, believe me. Of course what we have now is much worse. But i tend to forget this is SC with all their hatred toward the Democratic Party. Johnson is no longer our president. Isnt this where it all began when he made equal rights for everyone.

Suzella

11:14 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012

Good grief! SC will once again be the laughingstock of the U.S.

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stanley seigler

2:16 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

they already have and they are driving the country over the clift...

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Nan Hahn

6:13 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013

They're already here - Sanford, and anyone who would vote for him!

Cookies Mom

2:16 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

I hope the open seat for which he runs is on a plane for Argentina!

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Ambassador

2:16 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

Good enough for everyone to think of good ole Billy as a senior statesman after his problems under his desk in the Oval Room of the Whitehouse. Mr. Sanford at least has the credibility to say no to the ridiculous spending that is going to send this country over the edge and into third world oblivion.

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Larry Alexis

7:39 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

You're kidding, right? He did across the board cuts instead of targeting pork projects. The kind of cuts that have our roads crumbling, our population sicker, hungrier and less educated while giving tax breaks to the whealthy. Sounds like HE was sending us into a third world country.

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Frank Zoccola

6:13 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013

you can make all the comparisons you want., but this is not a political party problem. He is an man with low morals also

Brian Johnson

2:16 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

This should and does have the Dimmocrats shaking in their boots. You can measure their fear by the viciousness of their attacks. I just can't wait for Dick Harfartlian to spout his drivel.

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SDR

2:16 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

Those that love the Kennedys will easily embrace the Governor. You gotta love a man that goes after what he wants, right?

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Larry Alexis

7:39 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

Big difference is that the Kennedys actually cared about the people that elected them. I guess it is the same thing because the ex-gov did care about the people that elected him - big money

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reg

7:39 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

and you gotta lose all respect for a man that makes taxpayers cover the costs when he goes after what he wants

Larry Alexis

2:16 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

Ain't that just like South Carolina politics to think that he is a good choice. No he wasn't even close to being the best governor this state has ever had. I will write my own name in before I ever voted for him, heck I would rather vote for Sponge Bob

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Brian Johnson

5:45 pm on Sunday, December 30, 2012

How 'bout that paragon of democratic virtue, Mr Greene?

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Larry Alexis

4:43 am on Monday, December 31, 2012

Oh yes- Mr. Greene, the plant that DeMint set up so he didn't have to worry about getting reelected. People that know Mr. Greene know that there was something to the election being rigged.

Tom Utley

7:39 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

South Carolina loves Godless adulterers. Just look at the last presidential primary: during the debates, we booed the Golden Rule, and then Newt Gingrich won by a landslide. Sanford will probably run away with this one.

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Jonathan Allen

3:43 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

I will be forever grateful to Mark Sanford for making "hiking the Appalachian Trail" into an early 21st Century euphemism/meme, his gift to the English language and internet message boards everywhere is nothing short of spectacular. And the stunt with him bringing live pigs into the Statehouse made for a few laughs as well. But that's about the only positive thing I can think to say about the man.

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Carolyn Farr Smith

4:05 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

Pork and Barrel! Definitely one of the moments he will be remembered for in this state. Or it's at least in the top 5!

5 War Veteran

10:16 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

Really? He will be among good company. Perverts, child abusers, pedophiles and those convicted of war crimes. Treason runs rampant and the media tells lies.
How about the poor father of a victim video taped smiling and laughing saying "Just read the card" then he goes through a character change as in acting?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=urrRcgB581w

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stanley seigler

10:16 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

re: good ole Billy as a senior statesman [Ambassador]

slick willie is a statesman and as president his 'ridiculous spending' left the USA with budget surpluses...which W quickly squandered with ridiculous tax cuts for the rich folks...whichwhich resulted in the great 2008 recession...

and if sanford figgers out where the appalachian trail is and figger out how to create clinton surpluses he too may become a senior statesman...

BTW i like sanford...he has the makings of a good DEM...and he is smarter than most GOPs...tho that's not saying much...

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stanley seigler

10:16 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

re: good ole Billy as a senior statesman

slick willie is a statesman and as president his 'ridiculous spending' left the USA with budget surpluses...which W quickly squandered with ridiculous tax cuts for the rich folks...whichwhich resulted in the great 2008 recession...

and if sanford figgers out where the appalachian trail is and figger out how to create clinton surpluses he too may become a senior statesman...

BTW i like sanford...he is smarter than most GOPs...tho that's not saying much...

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Jerry Stevens

7:39 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

I confidently predict that a philandering liar of a man cannot possibly be reelected. Of course, I made the exact same prediction just before Bill Clinton cruised to an easy win.

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stanley seigler

10:16 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

re: good ole Billy as a senior statesman [Ambassador]

slick willie is a statesman and as president his 'ridiculous spending' left the USA with budget surpluses...which W quickly squandered with ridiculous tax cuts for the rich folks...whichwhich resulted in the great 2008 recession...

and if sanford figgers out where the appalachian trail is and figger out how to create clinton surpluses he too may become a senior statesman...

BTW i like sanford...he is smarter than most GOPs...tho that's not saying much...

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stanley seigler

7:37 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

re: good ole Billy as a senior statesman

slick willie is a statesman and as president his 'ridiculous spending' left the USA with budget surpluses...which W quickly squandered with ridiculous tax cuts for the rich folks...whichwhich resulted in the great 2008 recession...

and if sanford figgers out where the appalachian trail is and figger out how to create clinton surpluses he too may become a senior statesman...

BTW i like sanford...he has the makings of a good DEM...and he is smarter than most GOPs...tho that's not saying much...

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stanley seigler

10:16 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

to: PATCH

have submited a message 4X...get 'pending'...mesage never posted...but 'pending shows up 4x then disappears...

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Ambassador

10:18 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012

How lucky can we get--I do not have to read the Stanley nonsense page of dribble.

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stanley seigler

6:27 am on Thursday, December 27, 2012

one doesn't have to read stanley's, or anyone's, dribble...but if a person reads all messages posted...then you will read stanley's dribble 4X as PATCH system doesn't recognize duplication...OTOH;

some (eg, mainly 19th century white males) should read someone else's dribble other than fox, rush, ann, etal's dribble...

they need to get the 6NOV message...fox, etal's dribble is very much on the wane...65-70% of the minorities (now the majority) said so!

it (fox dribble) waxed bs too long...did much harm to our country...eg, ridiculous tax cuts for the rich, the 2008 recession and the slower recovery from same...

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stanley seigler

6:27 am on Thursday, December 27, 2012

TO: PATCH
the below message submited...got pending comment...pending comment disapeared...message not posted.

the below submitted not posted (no explaination) message:

one doesn't have to read stanley's, or anyone's, dribble...but if a person reads all messages posted...the you will read stanley's dribble 4X as PATCH system doesn't recognize duplication...OTOH;

some (eg, white males) should read someone else's dribble other than fox, rush, ann, etal's dribble...

they need to get the 6NOV message...fox, etal's dribble is very much on the wane...70% of the minorities (now the majority) said so!

it (fox dribble) waxed bs too long...did much harm to our country...eg, ridiculous tax cuts for the rich, the 2008 recession and the slower recovery from same...

Comment_arrow

stanley seigler

6:27 am on Thursday, December 27, 2012

TO: PATCH
the below message submited 3X...get pending comment...pending comment disapeared...message not posted.

the submitted not posted (no explaination) message:

one doesn't have to read stanley's, or anyone's, dribble...but if a person reads all messages posted...then you will read stanley's dribble 4X as PATCH system doesn't recognize duplication...OTOH;

some (eg, white males) should read someone else's dribble other than fox, rush, ann, etal's dribble...

they need to get the 6NOV message...fox, etal's dribble is very much on the wane...70% of the minorities (now the majority) said so!

it (fox dribble) waxed bs too long...did much harm to our country...eg, ridiculous tax cuts for the rich, the 2008 recession and the slower recovery from same...

stanley seigler

6:27 am on Thursday, December 27, 2012

TO: PATCH
the below message submited 2X...got pending comment...pending comment disapeared...message not posted.

the submitted not posted (no explaination) message:

one doesn't have to read stanley's, or anyone's, dribble...but if a person reads all messages posted...then you will read stanley's dribble 4X as PATCH system doesn't recognize duplication...OTOH;

some (eg, white males) should read someone else's dribble other than fox, rush, ann, etal's dribble...

they need to get the 6NOV message...fox, etal's dribble is very much on the wane...70% of the minorities (now the majority) said so!

it (fox dribble) waxed bs too long...did much harm to our country...eg, ridiculous tax cuts for the rich, the 2008 recession and the slower recovery from same...

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van crause

6:13 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Good glad to see someone with a good working knowledge to do the job,,,,he has more experience than anyone running AND I DONT CARE IF HE HAS A GIRLFRIEND IN ARGENTINA ........you go live with JENNY and come out normal.

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George Grace

4:33 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

When is SC going to produce a decent, informed, intelligent politician? Never I guess. We are being manipulated people, by Joe Wilson, by Mark Sanford, by Nikki Haley! When are we going to get a Andrew Cuomo or Fritz Hollings?

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steve everett

4:33 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

For the love of God, when will the republican party get its head out of its ass. surely there must be candidates better than Nark Sanford.

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5 War Veteran

7:43 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

George, We are being manipulated people, by Joe Wilson, by Mark Sanford, by Nikki Haley!
Yes and All of America is being manipulated by our very own illegal government. Obama makes claims about common sense and gun control when facts and history proves the opposite,
1911 – Turkey disarmed its citizens, and between 1915 – 1917 they murdered 1.5 million Armenians.
1929 – Russia disarmed its citizens, and between 1929 – 1953 they murdered 20 million Russians.
1935 – China disarmed its citizens, and between 1948 – 1952 they murdered 20 million Chinese.
1938 – Germany disarmed its citizens, and between 1939 – 1945 they murdered 16 million Jews.
1956 – Cambodia disarmed its citizens, and between 1975 – 1977 they murdered 1 million Educated people.
1964 – Guatemala disarmed its citizens, and between 1964 – 1981 they murdered 100,000 Mayan Indians.
1970 – Uganda disarmed its citizens, and between 1971 – 1979 they murdered 300,000 Christians.
Will we repeat history?

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Larry Alexis

1:54 pm on Sunday, January 20, 2013

"Paranoia May Destroy Ya"
Nobody wants to take your right to arms
How about background checks no matter where you buy a gun?

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Ambassador

8:10 pm on Sunday, January 20, 2013

Hey Larry--where are you? Wake up Larry. Everyone is talking about Mark Sanford and you are talking about firearms. I am only replying because I happen to agree with universal background checks in addition to an extreme crackdown on straw purchases. The rest of this gun control crap is just that as the politicians and the media feed off of 20 dead children for their own sick reasons. Stick the resident in the whitehouse into the middle of all this with his pure theatrical tear wipe and his creating a group of childhood dupes who were selected to stand next to the ignorant man.
If you wake up and are still into the Mark Sanford "stuff" he is still the best person to resume his position as our congressman. If you are going to give me the Argentine dance, kindly remember a soiled dress in the Oval Office of the Whitehouse and perjury to boot and now that "fatty" is considered a respected and honored man, even though he was shown to be a dysfunctional deviant and a liar.

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Larry Alexis

11:43 pm on Sunday, January 20, 2013

Ambassador - I was replying to this post, do know what you are looking at. You remember a whole different Sanford than I do. I remember across the board cuts, pay freezes, job losses and the list goes on.
He is and always was a self-serving a-hole. He has NEVER been for the average person, he was always looking out for his rich buddies.

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Larry Alexis

6:19 pm on Monday, January 21, 2013

Ambassador- I guess that makes you a Clinton FANBOY, you keep comparing them and you seem to be in love with one of them, there for - you must be in love with both. Frankly I thought both Clinton and his wife were corrupt as heck. I even wrote him once to tell him not to preach "Family Values" to me.

I don't dislike Sanford for "Hiking The Appalacian Trail". I dislike him for what he did to me and mine on a personal level with all his cuts and freezes.

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Ambassador

11:52 am on Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Your 1/21 reply at least makes sense. Leaving aside all the rhetoric and giving me an honest answer on Sanford. I still think that you and I may be the only people NOT running for this office. What I love is the fact that many of the current politicos are using funds they already have from all their other "races", and literally take it for granted that they will all win. No one will ever convince me that I should ever vote for a dem again--he or she could be the Lord himself but he will never see my vote--the idea that he or she would stand there with Pelosi and her smile just makes me want to puke. The list of repubs is also enough to want me to puke. At least Sanford, whether it hurt your family or not, was truly a skinflint when it came to funding, spending and taxes and his predictions many years ago ring very true today as this country is ready to fall off the bandwagon of greatness thanks to the piece of garbage in the whitehouse.

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Larry Alexis

3:01 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013

He may have been right about the looming financial disaster but his approach was totally wrong. You cannot run the government like a business - PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE LITERALLY AT STAKE. The sooner all these politicians realize that the better. You can't just tell people that they need to pull themselves out of poverty and expect that everyone can do it. You can't expect that someone making barely over minimum wage to be able to survive on their own. Part of the problem is that the state will take all assistance (except food stamps in some cases) from a person as soon as they get a job. It doesn't matter if they are making less than they would on welfare, they still lose it not to mention the added cost of child care, and people wonder why anyone would want to stay on welfare. It's simple economics. Sanford was all about cutting everything no matter how many children had to go hungry or go to school in ragged dirty clothes. And let's not forget the children that lost medical coverage. Thank Godness for Obamacare, at least my grandchildren and children will be able to get medical care. On you comment about the person in the whitehouse - You MUST be watching FOX news - The president was done more in his one term than most presidents do in 2. If the PUBS would stop trying to block EVERYTHING then this country would already be back on its feet. I didn't not vote for him the first time but I voted for him this time because he seemed to be the ONLY Washington actually doing something

George Grace

2:03 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013

5 War - nobody, President Obama, Joe biden, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi - nobody - is talking about confiscating all your guns. It won't happen.
They're talking about banning assault weapons which can't be used for hunting and are gross overkill for home/self defense.
If Adam Lanza only had access to a bolt action rifle he might have killed 2 or 3 kids, not 20.

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Terri Unknown

12:19 pm on Monday, January 21, 2013

Larry Alexis, I have the same memories of him as you do. Totally agree with you about him.

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