{"id":2585343,"date":"2026-03-30T13:39:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T17:39:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-critic-mark-sanford-launches-house-bid-in-south-carolina\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T13:41:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T17:41:01","slug":"trump-critic-mark-sanford-launches-house-bid-in-south-carolina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-critic-mark-sanford-launches-house-bid-in-south-carolina\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump critic Mark Sanford launches House bid in South Carolina"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-critic-mark-sanford-launches-house-bid-in-south-carolina%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2585343&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Former South Carolina Rep. Mark Sanford has launched a comeback bid for his old U.S. House seat in the 1st District eight years after losing a Trump-backed primary. Sanford filed to run as the district\u2019s incumbent status arises because rep.Nancy Mace is running for governor, leaving an open seat that could attract a large field in the June 9, 2026 Republican primary. The race features at least 10 other Republicans and several Democratic challengers, including Mac Deford and Mayra Rivera-Vasquez. The district has become more favorable to Republicans after redistricting, and Donald Trump\u2019s support helped unseat Sanford in 2018; Trump\u2019s influence also affected Sanford\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >previous political trajectory<\/a>, including a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bernie-says-dems-should-tone-down-rhetoric-against-israel\/\" title=\"Bernie Says Dems Should \u2018Tone Down\u2019 Rhetoric Against Israel\">2020 presidential bid<\/a> he later exited. Sanford\u2019s political arc includes time as a congressman (1994-2000), a two-term South Carolina governor, and a 2013 comeback to the House after a scandal in 2009 that involved a trip to Argentina. The Cook Political Report rates the open seat as solid Republican, though a rare open-seat race can still invite Democratic interest and a crowded GOP field.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Trump critic and former Rep. Mark Sanford launches comeback bid for House<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2545255\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Former <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republicans\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"926\">Republican<\/a> Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mark-sanford\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4161\">Mark Sanford<\/a> is launching a comeback bid for his old House seat, eight years after losing a primary to a challenger backed by President Donald Trump. <\/p>\n<p>Sanford was ousted in a 2018 Republican primary by candidate Katie Arrington, who went on to lose the general election to Democratic Rep. Joe Cunningham. Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nancy-mace\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2548\">Nancy Mace<\/a> (R-SC) flipped the seat back to Republican with her 2020 win, but the congresswoman is running for governor and will not seek another term.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4509267\/watch-live-white-house-news-briefing-iran-war-day-31\/\">WATCH LIVE: White House to hold news briefing amid Iran war&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/4509222\/cpac-boomers-trump-divisions-iran\/\">CPAC&#8217;s &#8216;boomers for Trump&#8217; conference hides divisions over Iran<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4508733\/ken-paxton-cpac-texas-senate-runoff-cornyn\/\">Paxton dominates CPAC as GOP frets over Texas Senate runoff<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Mace&rsquo;s departure is giving Sanford, 64, an opportunity to return to congressional politics. Sanford filed paperwork on Monday, the state&rsquo;s deadline for candidacy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;People have been telling me it&rsquo;s time to get off the bleachers,&rdquo; Sanford told the <em>Post and Courier <\/em>in an interview.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Sanford was originally elected to represent South Carolina&rsquo;s 1st Congressional District in 1994. He held the seat, which includes part of Charleston, before retiring in 2000 due to a term-limits pledge. Sanford successfully ran for governor of South Carolina in 2002 and was reelected in 2006.<\/p>\n<p>He left office in 2011 under a cloud of scandal after having disappeared from South Carolina for nearly a week in 2009. Initially thought to have gone missing hiking the Appalachian Trail, Sanford had actually traveled to Argentina to visit his mistress. <\/p>\n<p>Despite the scandal, Sanford won a 2013 special election against comedian Stephen Colbert&rsquo;s sister to represent the 1st Congressional District. The seat became vacant after the GOP incumbent Tim Scott was appointed to the Senate.<\/p>\n<p>In the House, Sanford focused on lowering the national debt and advocated a small-government philosophy. The viewpoint brought him into conflict with Trump after 2016.<\/p>\n<p>Sanford is a critic of President Donald Trump, stating the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-taking-regeneron-drug-remdesivir-therapy-for-coronavirus-diagnosis-ex-wh-doctor-explains\/\" title=\"Trump taking Regeneron drug, Remdesivir therapy for coronavirus diagnosis: ex-WH doctor explains\">president&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s abrasive and bullying tactics were a sign of the breakdown in American politics.&nbsp;The president endorsed Arrington over Sanford in 2018, leading to the rare ousting of an incumbent.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The race ultimately was reduced down to who was more Trump, versus not, and I lost that race,&rdquo; Sanford <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/ousted-trump-bashing-rep-mark-sanford-acknowledges-his-political-career-is-likely-over\">acknowledged<\/a> at the time.<\/p>\n<p>Trump said at the time that Sanford &ldquo;has been very unhelpful to me in my campaign to [Make America Great Again]. He is MIA and nothing but trouble. He is better off in Argentina.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Two years after losing his House seat, Sanford launched a long-shot bid challenging Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2020. He dropped out of the race before the first primary vote was cast.<\/p>\n<p>An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republican-john-james-launches-campaign-for-congress-in-michigans-10th-district\/\" title=\"...ublican John James Launches Campaign for Congress in Michigan&#039;s 10th District\">open congressional seat<\/a> is rare, usually prompting a large influx of candidates from both parties. Sanford will face <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/scdailygazette.com\/2026\/01\/12\/14-candidates-are-running-to-replace-rep-nancy-mace-in-congress\/\">at least 10 other Republicans<\/a> who have already filed to run in the primary for Mace&rsquo;s seat, including state Rep. Mark Smith and a handful of county lawmakers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>On the Democratic side, Mac Deford is attempting a comeback after losing the 2024 primary by 3 percentage points. Mayra Rivera-Vasquez is a former Democratic county chairwoman. The other two Democratic opponents are political newcomers.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4040585\/where-house-senate-retirements-stand-2026\/\"><strong>HERE&rsquo;S WHERE HOUSE AND SENATE RETIREMENTS STAND IN 2026<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The South Carolina primary is set for June 9. While the 1st District changed parties between 2018 and 2020, redistricting after the 2020 census made the district more favorable to Republicans. Mace has easily won reelection since she was elected in 2020, winning in 2024 with over 58% of the vote.<\/p>\n<p>An open seat, particularly in a midterm year, could slightly boost Democrats&rsquo; chances of flipping the seat. But the nonpartisan <em>Cook Political Report <\/em>rates Mace&rsquo;s open seat as &ldquo;solid Republican.&rdquo; Trump won the seat by 13 percentage points in 2024 over former Vice President Kamala Harris. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sanford launches comeback bid for SC House seat again<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2648,"featured_media":2585344,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/mark-sanford-11.12.19-e1774890587861.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[34923,76818,3911,41960,44133],"class_list":["post-2585343","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-house-bid","tag-mark-sanford","tag-republican","tag-south-carolina","tag-trump-critic"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/mark-sanford-11.12.19-e1774890587861.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2585343","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2648"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2585343"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2585343\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2585347,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2585343\/revisions\/2585347"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2585344"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2585343"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2585343"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2585343"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}