US EditionFormer South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford Enters 2026 GOP Primary for First District
Mark Sanford emphasizes fiscal conservatism and tackling the national debt as key issues in his 2026 campaign for South Carolina’s First Congressional District.
- On Monday, former South Carolina Governor and Congressman Mark Sanford filed paperwork to run for his former seat in the First Congressional District, centering his campaign on federal spending restraint.
- Sanford previously represented the First District for three terms before serving two terms as governor and returning to Congress for three more terms, accumulating more than $1.3 million in federal campaign funds.
- His 2009 disappearance to Argentina became shorthand for the 'Appalachian Trail' scandal after he told staff he was hiking; despite ethics inquiries and calls to resign, Sanford completed his gubernatorial term.
- Sanford lost his seat in 2018 to a GOP challenger backed by President Donald Trump; the district later flipped to Democratic hands before Republican Representative Nancy Mace won it in 2020.
- During his 2020 presidential run, Sanford challenged Trump for the nomination in what he characterized as a 'long shot' effort around national debt warnings, ending his bid before the New Hampshire primary.
48 Articles
48 Articles
Mark Sanford attempting a congressional comeback months after allegation of affair with Olivia Nuzzi
Mark Sanford filed paperwork Monday to run for Congress in South Carolina’s 1st District, months after Olivia Nuzzi’s ex-fiancé alleged the former Republican lawmaker had an affair with the journalist.
DCCC Statement on Growing Republican Primary Field in SC-01
Following the announcement that scandal-ridden Mark Sanford has entered the growing GOP primary field in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, DCCC spokesperson Madison Andrus released the following statement: “As Republicans race to declare themselves the most MAGA and tie their candidacies to the sinking ship of the House Republican agenda, the only guarantee is a messy intra-party fight with egos at the center, not South Carolinians. W…
Former Gov. Sanford seeks seat back; former state Democratic Party chair runs for SC treasurer
The South Carolina state seal is seen in a state office in Columbia, S.C. in March of 2026. (Photo by Travis Bell/STATEHOUSE CAROLINA/Special to the SC Daily Gazette)COLUMBIA — Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford is looking to return to Washington by winning back the congressional seat he lost eight years ago. The two-term GOP governor on Monday joined South Carolina’s most crowded contest this year, with 10 other Republicans and seven Democ…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 48% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
