Mark Sanford Jumps Back Into Politics: Because His Legacy of Embarrassing His Kids Needs Another Chapter

Le sigh.

The same week Eric Swalwell drops out of the Governor race, Mark Sanford, noted adulterer who ruined his political career one time, decides now is when he should announce his return to politics.

Why?

This is a perfect example of pride coming before the fall. Sometimes it's fine to recognize you made a massive fool of yourself, embarrassed your entire family and it's best to stay out of the public eye.

I’m Mark Sanford. I’m a dad. I’m a soon-to-be grandfather. I’m a businessman who got involved in politics years ago and became both Gov. of S.C. & Congressman for the Lowcountry. I’m running for Congress because I believe our nation is at a financial tipping point. Join us! pic.twitter.com/3I1uwb9Qmr
— Mark Sanford (@MarkSanford) April 15, 2026

Yes, he's a Dad who cheated on his children's Mom and a grandfather who left a terrible legacy for his grandchildren. That's nothing to be proud of. Surely the 'low country' has a man or woman with some moral fortitude who could be a good leader.

In 2009, Mark Sanford (then the Republican Governor of South Carolina) was embroiled in a major political sex scandal involving an extramarital affair.

en.wikipedia.org
Key Events
Disappearance (June 18–24, 2009): Sanford vanished for nearly a week without telling his family, staff, or security detail where he was going. His aides initially told the media he was hiking on the Appalachian Trail (after Father's Day weekend).

en.wikipedia.org
Revelation and Admission (June 24, 2009): He returned from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and held an emotional press conference admitting he had been having an affair with María Belén Chapur, an Argentine woman he met in 2001 (the relationship became sexual in 2008). He said he had been "unfaithful" to his wife, Jenny Sanford, and spent the previous days "crying in Argentina."

abcnews.go.com
His wife had known about the affair since January 2009, and the couple had begun a trial separation shortly before the trip.

en.wikipedia.org
Aftermath
Sanford resigned as chairman of the Republican Governors Association.

politico.com
He faced intense media scrutiny, a censure by the South Carolina legislature, and an ethics investigation (probable cause found later in 2009 for ethics violations).

en.wikipedia.org
Despite calls for his resignation or impeachment, he finished his term as governor (ending in 2011). The scandal largely derailed his national political prospects at the time (he had been seen as a potential 2012 presidential contender).