Former Gov. Mark Sanford, looking for redemption in a political career that was sidelined by scandal, has won the vacant South Carolina congressional seat, the AP reports.
Republican Sanford defeated Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch in the state’s 1st Congressional District. Colbert Busch is the sister of political satirist Stephen Colbert.
At one time, Sanford was mentioned as a possible GOP presidential contender.
But his career unraveled when, as governor four years ago, he disappeared for five days, telling his staff he was hiking the Appalachian Trail. He returned to admit he had been in Argentina with his mistress. Sanford later paid a $70,000 ethics fine, the largest in state history.
Sanford has never lost a political race.
Photo: This photo combination shows Elizabeth Colbert Busch posing outside her campaign headquarters in Charleston, S.C., on Feb. 13, 2013, left, and Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford speaking with reporters at Hay Tire & Automotive in Mount Pleasant, S.C., on April 22, 2013. (Bruce Smith / Mic Smith / AP)