Report: Mark Sanford weighing congressional bid

Former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford. / William Thomas Cain

Mark Sanford, the former South Carolina governor who resigned as chairman of the Republican Governors Association in 2009 after admitting to an extramarital affair, is considering a re-entrance to politics, according to The State, which cites unnamed South Carolina politicos.

Sanford, a Republican, is reportedly considering a bid for his old congressional seat - the seat currently held by Rep. Tim Scott, R-S.C., who has been tapped to replace Jim DeMint in the Senate. DeMint recently announced his resignation from the Senate to run the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Sanford held the seat from 1995 to 2001.

• Rep. Tim Scott named new South Carolina senator
• Jim DeMint leaving Senate for Heritage Foundation

Sanford would have about 12 weeks to prepare a primary bid for the seat, in South Carolina's first district, according to the State. The field is expected to be crowded.

In the lead-up to his 2009 resignation, the former two-term governor famously disappeared for a few days and was reported by his staff to be hiking the Appalachian trail. Not long after, reporters discovered that he was actually was visiting his girlfriend in Argentina. Sanford resigned, and later divorced his wife, Jenny Sanford. Jenny Sanford was among those on Gov. Nikki Haley's short list to replace DeMint in the Senate and has been mulling a run for Scott's seat herself.

[hurtin4sertain]

Sarah better say something quick! Mark just grabbed the driver's seat in the GOP clown car.

[cntrygirl3]

Well at least it would be entertaining, Sanford vs. Sanford. Loony governor vs. wronged wife. I guess Gingrich is proof asking for forgiveness absolves you of everything. Let the games begin.

[authorstanley]

First of all, Mark Sanford did not resign. He served out his term as Gov. Second, he asked for forgiveness. For you that won't give it to him...well, so you will be judged. But as a Congressman, Sanford was one of the more fiscally conservative member and we need more of him there. Yet to all of us who don't live in his congressional district, its none of our business.

[LVwidow]

Sorry, but it is everyone's business if this hypocrite gets to go to congress. If elected in South Carolina, Sanford would then be voting on bills and issues that effect the entire country.

[devildoc68]

I like the first part of your post name....Author....guess you are a pro at spin and fantasy and fiction...but you could always write a novel about Mark and his playmates....that might do well in your circle..

[Lindag20]

Just what we need, another "family values" guy in Congress. The REAL question is if the people of South Carolina are going to vote him in and entertain the rest of the country with his affairs.

[twmat311]

I'm sure he can count on God's forgiveness. The voters forgiveness? Now THAT will be interesting to see.

And also the election outcome, if he runs against his wife for the same seat.

[RetiredArmy_Nurse]

Why not. He's the perfect example of a repug, no morals, no ethics, no concern for those not rich like him. Plus he wants us to feel sorry for him and even vote for him.

[signseeker1717]

You could add arrogance and hypocrisy to that list too.

This article twice states erroneously that Sanford resigned; he did NOT resign, in fact he REFUSED to resign. He was censured by the SC House of Reps., but impeachment proceedings fell short. We just had to WAIT for his lame duck term to expire (by SC law he couldn't run again).

It was DISGUSTING to have to listen to him CRY about his "true love" (his Argentine mistress) in a news conference, in front of his wife and three sons, after all his professed "religious faith" and "prayer".

His nickname here in SC is "SanFRAUD".

[frankhpns]

This guy has got to have the biggest ego on the planet. What a pompous-ass.
Why would I want the type of behavior, exhibited in his past to be in Congress. Just another phony lawyer, with no ethics what so ever.

[Aceduece]

That would be wonderful if he throws his hat in the ring and then have his EX challange him for the nomination. Bet she would kick his little butt!