Mark Sanford quits political comeback years after he disappeared in Argentina with mistress

By WILKO MARTÍNEZ-CACHERO, US REPORTER Published: 05:10, 1 May 2026 | Updated: 05:21, 1 May 2026 Former governor Mark Sanford ended his latest political comeback bid, years after he derailed his career by disappearing in Argentina with his mistress. Sanford, 65, had filed paperwork just before the March 30 deadline to run in the June 9 Republican primary for South Carolina's first congressional district. But on Thursday, he dropped out of the race, claiming he wanted to focus on fighting the national debt through a 'grassroots organization.' 'Start small, but I have a fair size circle of friends and folks with whom I have some degree of influence and contacts,' Sanford told the Associated Press. Sanford's political career was overshadowed by a well–known affair during his stint as South Carolina governor from 2003 to 2011. In June 2009, Sanford seemingly disappeared without notice, only for it to be revealed that he had traveled to Argentina to be with his mistress. Sanford survived an impeachment inquiry and calls to resign, leaving office at the end of his term. His then–wife Jenny Sanford later filed for divorce after moving out of the governor's mansion in Columbia with their four sons. Mark Sanford, 65, dropped his latest comeback bid and claimed that he would instead focus on a 'grassroots organization' dedicated to battling the national debt Sanford's rising political career was marked by an affair with an Argentine mistress, Maria Belen Chapur (right), while he was South Carolina governor Ten other Republicans are vying to become the GOP's candidate for South Carolina's first congressional district, according to WCSC. That includes John McGrath, Christen Norrman, Dan Brown, Jay Byars, Logan Cunningham, Tyler Dykes, Sam McCown, Cindy Riley, Jenny Costa Honeycutt and Alex Pelbath. Nancy Mace, the incumbent since January 2021, is running for South Carolina governor. Sanford said he felt like he would be unable to impact debt–related issues if elected to Congress since his focus would have to be much wider. 'There are no guarantees with life, but I think that this has a better chance of elevating that issue, if I worked earnestly on it, than I was going to with the course that I was on with the campaign,' he added. Sanford did not close the door on a return to politics, though he suggested such a move was unlikely. 'Look, if there's ever a guy who would say, 'Never say never,' it's me,' he said. 'But I think, realistically, yeah, and it's recognition of that being the case.' Sanford added that he wanted to spend more time with his family, with his first grandchild expected soon. After serving as governor, Sanford had staged a partial comeback by returning to Congress, but lost the seat in 2018. An unsuccessful presidential primary challenge in 2019 against Donald Trump seemingly spelled the end of his political prospects. Sanford said he imagined his grassroots project to be 'a Turning Point USA exclusively focused on our nation's unsustainable debt' Sanford got engaged to his mistress, Maria Belen Chapur, but their engagement was called off in 2014 Sanford also explained that Trump had been a factor in the process that led to him dropping out of the race. 'He has a very long memory toward people who haven't kissed the ring,' Sanford told the Post and Courier. Sanford added: 'He doesn't drive this decision, but I've always been aware of that contingent liability – and it's real.' He further explained his decision in a self–penned article published Thursday on the outlet, saying that 'service takes different forms at different times.' Sanford said the debt and deficit would 'ultimately crush affordability and the American dream for the next generation.' He will be able to use the more than $1.3 million that remained in his federal account since leaving Congress in 2019 for his grassroots project. 'Imagine a Turning Point USA exclusively focused on our nation's unsustainable debt,' Sanford wrote. He referred to the NRA and AIPAC, which he called 'two of the most effective voices I saw in Washington over the years.' 'Why not a grassroots team dedicated to simply limiting the size of our federal government's plate?' Sanford said. 'Such a group would have the potential to reshape the incentives that currently drive fiscal policy in Washington.' Sanford had filed paperwork just before the March 30 deadline to run in the June 9 Republican primary for South Carolina's first congressional district Olivia Nuzzi's ex–fiancé Ryan Lizza claimed she cheated on him by 'sleeping with' Sanford Sanford eventually got engaged to his mistress, Maria Belen Chapur, whom he called his 'soul mate.' However, he called off the engagement in 2014.  On top of Sanford's extramarital affair in Argentina, the Republican lawmaker was been accused in November of 'sleeping with' disgraced journalist Olivia Nuzzi. Ryan Lizza, a former Politico journalist and Nuzzi's ex–fiance, claimed she was involved with Sanford years before her 'digital affair' with now–Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr. Lizza claimed he had found a love note Nuzzi had allegedly written to 'a famous politician, 32 years older than Olivia, and well–known for a sex scandal.' That was allegedly Sanford, whom Nuzzi had profiled for New York Magazine when he launched his 2020 presidential bid. 'If I swallowed every drop of water from the tower above your house, I would still thirst for you,' Nuzzi allegedly wrote to Sanford. He wrote that Nuzzi told him she became 'infatuated' with Sanford after covering him for New York Magazine, eventually sending him 'increasingly risqué pictures and texts.' He also alleged Nuzzi and Sanford 'consummated' their relationship at the ex–governor's home 'one night after she went dark on me and made up a story about how she was dealing with a crisis concerning her sick mother.' The Daily Mail has reached out to Sanford for comment on his future plans. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. 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