PoliticsMark Sanfordmark sanford affairPolitics

Mark Sanford Fundraising Lags Behind Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch

Sanford Falls Behind Opponent In Key Area
Open Image Modal
By 

Senior Reporter, HuffPost

|

WASHINGTON -- Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) is losing the money race in his special election comeback bid to fill the state's 1st District seat, left open by the appointment of Tim Scott to the Senate.

Sanford raised just $453,343 from the end of February through the middle of April, slightly more than half the $874,065 that Democratic opponent Elizabeth Colbert Busch raised for the same period. Sanford's total includes funds reported in March for the period before the run-off began. This money disparity puts Sanford at a big disadvantage, especially since it appears that no outside group is coming to help him out.

This special election was supposed to be a big political comeback story for Sanford, who left the governor's mansion in disgrace at the end of his term after admitting to an affair with an Argentine journalist, and to using state funds to pay for flights to visit her. But Sanford's troubles have continued. On April 16, Sanford's ex-wife stated that Sanford had potentially violated terms of their divorce by trespassing at her new house.

The trespassing allegation has since dogged Sanford and led the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) to state that it would not support his bid. Colbert Busch has surged to a 9-point lead, according to a Public Policy Polling survey. She has received outside help from her famous brother, the comedian Stephen Colbert, and both a well-funded Democratic super PAC and also the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).

Since the trespassing allegation, Sanford has had to spend much of his time and a considerable amount of money trying to respond. This included taking a full page ad in Charleston's Post & Courier with the lead-in line, "It's been a rough week."

The special election will be held on May 7.

CORRECTION: The original article incorrectly stated the total for Sanford's fundraising from late February to mid-April. It has been updated to include the total from filing reports for mid-March to mid-April, as well as a pre-runoff election funding report filed by Sanford in March covering the period of late February through mid-March.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Politicians Who Wanted A Second Chance
Mark Sanford(01 of09)
Open Image Modal
As South Carolina governor in 2009, Sanford admitted that he was having an extramarital affair with an Argentine woman and lied about his whereabouts, the Associated Press reported. He recently won a GOP runoff for the congressional seat in South Carolina's 1st district and is engaged to his mistress, Maria Belen Chapur. (credit:AP Photo/Bruce Smith)
Chuck Robb(02 of09)
Open Image Modal
Virginia Democrat Chuck Robb took another shot at the U.S. Senate in 1994, years after admitting to a secret history of partying and sexual encounters, according to the New York Times. He won his bid for a second term. (credit:AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Eliot Spitzer(03 of09)
Open Image Modal
The Democrat resigned as governor of New York in 2008 in a call-girl scandal and has since worked as a commentator for CNN and other media organizations, the Associated Press reported. (credit:Getty Images)
Newt Gingrich(04 of09)
Open Image Modal
Former GOP Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich's history of marriages, divorces and affairs reemerged in the spotlight while making an unsuccessful bid for the White House in 2012. (credit:AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Barney Frank(05 of09)
Open Image Modal
Massachusetts Democratic congressman Barney Frank's career was almost derailed in 1989 after he admitted to a relationship with a male prostitute, but went on to serve for two more decades before retiring, the Associated Press reported. (credit:AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
David Vitter(06 of09)
Open Image Modal
He won a second term as a Republican senator from Louisiana in 2010, three years after he was identified as a client of a prostitution service in what was dubbed the "DC Madam" scandal, the Associated Press reported. (credit:ROBIN UTRECHT/AFP/Getty Images))
Bill Clinton (07 of09)
Open Image Modal
Former President Bill Clinton was impeached by the House in 1998 but acquitted by the Senate over his relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, the Associated Press reported. (credit:ROBIN UTRECHT/AFP/Getty Images))
Ted Kennedy(08 of09)
Open Image Modal
Massachusetts Democrat Edward "Ted" Kennedy was serving in the Senate in 1969, when he was involved in a post-party car accident that resulted in the death of Mary Jo Kopechne. Kennedy pled guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, and while the incident was thought to have damaged his presidential prospects, he ultimately served in the Senate until 2009, when he died of brain cancer. (credit:AP/Doug Mills)
Ken Calvert(09 of09)
Open Image Modal
The California Republican was serving his first year in Congress in 1993 when he was busted by police while engaged in sexual conduct with a prostitute. The incident didn't slow down his political career, as Calvert is still serving on Capitol Hill. (credit:Getty Images)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip