Mark Sanford is living proof that life is full of second chances. The former Republican governor of South Carolina, whose political career was left for dead along the Appalachian Trail after an extramarital affair, asked for, and Tuesday received, political redemption as he won a special election to fill a vacant House seat that he once occupied. "I want to acknowledge a God not just of second chances but third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth chances, because that is the reality of our shared humanity," Sanford said at his victory celebration after defeating his Democratic opponent, Elizabeth Colbert Busch. "I am one imperfect man saved by God's grace."
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Sanford wins comeback race with about 54% of the vote
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Sanford wins all five counties in the district, Colbert Busch wins absentees
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Colbert Busch tried to make Sanford's extramarital affair an issue in race
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Sanford tried to tie Colbert Busch to national Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi
Republican
High turnout turns that around: Plenty of @placeholder who had misgivings about Sanford came out to vote anyway."
Mark Sanford
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Sanford
Sanford
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Sanford
And even with all his political baggage, he was considered the favorite in the race until last month, when court documents revealed his ex-wife had filed complaints against @placeholder for trespassing on her property.
Elizabeth Colbert Busch
Colbert Busch
Colbert Busch
Colbert Busch
The two groups, as well as @placeholder, highlighted the affair.
South Carolina
"I've fought hard over the years to make @placeholder a better place to call home.
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Sanford also repeatedly brought up the money that national Democratic groups have poured into the @placeholder race.
Elizabeth Colbert Busch
Colbert Busch
Colbert Busch
Colbert Busch
he said in the debate with @placeholder, pointing to the hundreds of thousands of dollars that national Democratic groups have spent on the race.
Democratic
he said in the debate with Colbert Busch, pointing to the hundreds of thousands of dollars that national @placeholder groups have spent on the race.