Mark Sanford South Carolina Congressional Run Could Determine Political Future

Ex-Governor's Future Lies In Hands Of Few
TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 28: South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford attends the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 28, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Today is the first full session of the RNC after the start was delayed due to Tropical Storm Isaac. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 28: South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford attends the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 28, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Today is the first full session of the RNC after the start was delayed due to Tropical Storm Isaac. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

By BRUCE SMITH, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's hopes for a political comeback are now in the hands of coastal South Carolina voters.

Sanford is one of 16 Republicans vying in Tuesday's special GOP primary in the state's 1st Congressional District.

It's his first election since he disappeared from the state while governor in 2009 and then returned to admit an affair with an Argentine woman to whom he is now engaged. Another Republican candidate is Teddy Turner, the son of media magnate Ted Turner.

There are two candidates in the Democratic primary. One is Elizabeth Colbert Busch, the sister of comedian Stephen Colbert.

The 1st District seat became vacant last year when Republican Gov. Nikki Haley appointed then-congressman Tim Scott to the U.S. Senate seat of Republican Jim DeMint, who resigned.

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