SC-01 Republican nominee?
$130.9K
JUN 10, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer U.S. Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age66 years old (May 28, 1960)
GenderMale
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LocationSouth Carolina
BackgroundPolitician
EducationFurman University (BA)
Notable personal detailsMarshall Clement "Mark" Sanford Jr. is an American politician and author who served as Governor of South Carolina (2003–2011) and as U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district (1995–2001; 2013–2019). He previously worked in real estate investment and founded a leasing and brokerage company. He earned a BA from Furman University and an MBA from the University of Virginia. In 2026 he filed to run again for SC-01 but ended his campaign about a month later.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports reducing government spending and cutting taxes, favors limited government and fiscal restraint, and has opposed large stimulus/deficit spending. Has advocated tax cuts and measures to rein in federal and state spending while promoting a simpler tax structure.
Healthcare
Opposes the Affordable Care Act and supports replacing it with private-market solutions and greater individual control over health care purchases rather than expanding public coverage. Has advocated for repeal/replacement efforts and authored/endorsed market-based alternatives to Obamacare.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger border security and enforcement measures (including E-Verify and penalties on sanctuary jurisdictions) while opposing family separation; has also supported increasing visas for skilled immigrants. Positions emphasize border security and enforcement reforms rather than broad regularization or expansive asylum protections.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Mark Sanford has described himself as pro-life and has supported measures restricting abortion access, including legislation requiring women to view ultrasounds and votes to limit funding for Planned Parenthood and other reproductive services. His congressional record includes votes and policy positions that favor abortion restrictions while not advocating a total ban.
Climate & Energy
Mark Sanford has acknowledged that human-caused climate change is real and has at times supported addressing its effects, while also endorsing an all‑of‑the‑above energy approach that includes fossil fuel development. His public statements and record show acceptance of climate science but do not consistently endorse aggressive emissions‑reduction or Green New Deal–style policies, and his specific policy proposals on climate and energy are limited or mixed.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports targeted measures such as temporary “red flag” orders to remove firearms from people judged dangerous and frames gun policy around suicide prevention and local intervention, while expressing opposition to broad federal assault-weapons bans and emphasizing respect for lawful gun ownership. Positions combine support for some gun-safety interventions with resistance to sweeping firearm restrictions.
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