Former South Carolina Gov. and Rep. Mark Sanford has entered the race to reclaim his old congressional seat, launching a comeback bid in the state’s 1st District as a crowded primary field takes shape ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Sanford, a Republican, filed on the final day to enter the June 9 primary, joining a growing lineup of candidates seeking to replace Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who is vacating the seat to run for governor. According to state filings, the race already includes 11 Republicans and 7 Democrats.
The Lowcountry district is considered safely Republican by the Cook Political Report, making the GOP primary the central battleground. The eventual Republican nominee is widely favored in the general election, barring a major shift in the political environment.
Sanford previously represented the district from 1995 to 2001 before serving as governor from 2003 to 2011. He later returned to Congress from 2013 to 2019 but lost his final reelection bid in a Republican primary to a Trump-backed challenger. Democrats flipped the seat that year, though it later returned to Republican control.
His reentry into politics comes after several years on the sidelines and follows a long history of both political prominence and personal controversy. Sanford made national headlines in 2009 when he admitted to an extramarital affair with a woman from Argentina while serving as governor. He resigned as chair of the Republican Governors Association but did not step down from office.
More recently, Sanford was linked to another controversy after journalist Ryan Lizza alleged that his then-fiance, Olivia Nuzzi, had an affair with Sanford during his 2020 presidential campaign. Sanford did not publicly respond to the claims.
Sanford also mounted a long-shot challenge to former President Trump in the 2020 Republican presidential primary but dropped out in 2019 after failing to gain traction. He had been a frequent critic of Trump during and after his time in Congress.
In an interview with The Post and Courier, Sanford said he was motivated to run again by concerns over federal spending and the broader economic outlook.
“People have been telling me it’s time to get off the bleachers,” he said.
His return adds a familiar name to a competitive primary that will test the direction of the Republican Party in the district, particularly as candidates navigate issues such as fiscal policy, loyalty to Trump, and the party’s broader messaging heading into 2026.
The race also unfolds against the backdrop of a high-stakes midterm cycle. Republicans are aiming to maintain or expand their House majority, while Democrats are looking to capitalize on economic concerns and any potential backlash against GOP governance. Historically, the party out of power has performed well in midterms, but recent cycles have shown more volatility, with candidate quality and local dynamics playing an outsized role.
In South Carolina’s 1st District, Republicans are expected to remain competitive regardless of national trends. Still, the size of the primary field and Sanford’s polarizing history could inject uncertainty into what might otherwise be a straightforward hold for the GOP.
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