Another Sanford Comeback?

Some political figures seem to never go away

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The Down Ballot political blog is reporting that a serial South Carolina politician, former Governor and ex-US Representative Mark Sanford (R), may be returning for another campaign. 

Sanford's two-term tenure as Governor ended in disgrace in 2011, after he was exposed engaging in an extramarital affair with an Argentine mistress. Two years later he reemerged to win a US House special election – a seat he held until losing a renomination primary in 2018.

On Wednesday, Mr. Sanford said he is considering again running for Governor when the post comes open in 2026. Governor Henry McMaster (R), now the longest-serving chief executive in state history, is ineligible to seek a third full term next year. Other Republicans considering running for Governor are Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Attorney General Alan Wilson, and US Rep. Nancy Mace (R-Charleston).

The Palmetto State promises to be an interesting political domain in 2026. South Carolina will host its first open gubernatorial race since 2010, when then-state Representative Nikki Haley succeeded Mr. Sanford. In that crowded race for Governor, Ms. Haley defeated then-Attorney General McMaster, then-Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, and then-Congressman Gresham Barrett. She out-polled state Senator Vincent Shaheen (D) in the general election.

In 2014, Gov. Haley was easily re-elected, and Mr. McMaster returned to state office in winning the Lt. Governor's post. He would then ascend to the Governorship in 2017, when Ms. Haley was appointed US Ambassador to the United Nations in the first Trump Administration. Governor McMaster would win two terms in his own right, in 2018 and 2022. 

Should Mr. Sanford enter the 2026 race, a chaotic campaign involving veteran political figures would likely ensue. Lieutenant Governor Evette has been in office since 2019 and AG Wilson, son of veteran US Congressman Joe Wilson (R-Springdale/Aiken), has held his post since the beginning of 2011. Representative Mace was elected to the House in 2020, after serving a term in the state House of Representatives and running for the US Senate in 2014.

Therefore, Mr. Sanford again appearing on the political stage in no way suggests that he would have an easy time securing another term as Governor.

After leaving the Governorship under a scandal cloud in 2011, Mr. Sanford was able to return to the US House, an institution where he originally served from 1995-2001. He won a 2013 special election to his former 1st Congressional District when then-Rep. Tim Scott (R) was appointed to the US Senate to replace resigned Senator Jim DeMint (R). 

During his return tenure in the House, Mr. Sanford became a vocal critic of then-President Donald Trump, which ultimately caused him to lose renomination in 2018.  State Rep. Katie Arrington defeated Mr. Sanford in that year's Republican primary, but largely due to a near fatal auto accident that almost cost her life, she would lose the general election to Democrat Joe Cunningham who would then lose his 2020 re-election race to current Congresswoman Mace. In 2022, Mr. Cunningham won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination but lost to Gov. McMaster, 58-41%.

The state could also feature another interesting statewide campaign. Senator Lindsey Graham (R) is running for a fifth term but could face significant primary opposition. US Rep. Ralph Norman (R-Rock Hill) continues to confirm that he is considering launching such a challenge.

While Sen. Graham would be favored for renomination, Rep. Norman, with his backing from the South Carolina GOP's strongly conservative base, would be a formidable opponent. 

In 2020, Sen. Graham was in a difficult general election battle with Democrat Jaime Harrison who would later become Democratic National Committee chairman. Mr. Harrison raised over $130 million in his race against Sen. Graham, and the contest transformed into a virtual national campaign. Though significantly outspent and facing tight polls, the Senator prevailed with a substantial 54-44% re-election victory margin.

While the Palmetto State political scene has been quiet since the last Graham election, it appears that the 2026 cycle will produce political fireworks that will again attract substantial national attention.

Jim Ellis is a 35-year veteran of politics at the state and national levels. He has served ss executive director for two national political action committees, as well as a consultant to the three national Republican Party organizations in DC, the National Federation of Independent Business, and various national conservative groups.

Born and raised in Sacramento, California, he earned a B. A. in Political Science from the University of California at Davis in 1979. Jim raised his daughter, Jacqueline, alone after his wife died following a tragic car accident. He helped establish the Joan Ellis Victims Assistance Network in Rochester, NH. Jim also is a member of the Northern Virginia Football Officials Association, which officiates high school games throughout the region.

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