How long after a scandal does a politician have to wait to mount his comeback? Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford is about to find out.
Sanford is reportedly gearing up for a bid for the House seat currently held by Rep. Tim Scott, who was just appointed to the Senate by Gov. Nikki Haley. Sanford held the same seat from 1995 to 2001 and still has $124,000 in his congressional campaign account.
If Sanford enters the race, he will likely do it soon: The primary to replace Scott would take place within 11 weeks of Scott’s resignation, set for early January. The Republican primary winner is virtually assured to win a special election in May.
Sanford famously disappeared for several days and resigned as governor in 2009 after he revealed an affair with an Argentine woman, to whom he is now engaged. His now-ex-wife, Jenny, is also considering a second act in politics, but aides said Sanford would not run against her.
