(CNN) -- Mark Sanford is another step closer to political redemption, but the real headline out of his Tuesday victory in a Republican primary runoff for his old congressional seat was a rare public appearance by his former mistress -- who's now his fiancée. And while the former South Carolina governor is considered the favorite in next month's general election showdown with Democratic nominee Elizabeth Colbert Busch, the sister of satirist and Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert, his past infidelity remains front and center in the race and could continue to hurt him with crucial female voters. Democrats wasted no time in attacking Sanford over the affair.
@highlight
Disgraced former Gov. Mark Sanford won a runoff for U.S. House seat in South Carolina
@highlight
He'll now face Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch, sister of "The Colbert Report" star
@highlight
National Democrats started attacks against Sanford shortly after Tuesday's win
@highlight
While GOP acknowledges Sanford's liabilities, his district might be more forgiving than others
Republican
GOP
The episode sank any hopes Sanford had of making a bid for the 2012 @placeholder presidential nomination.
Republican
GOP
She is expected to have an uphill climb in the general election because the district is heavily @placeholder.
South Carolina
South Carolina
But some @placeholder Republicans disagree, saying that the female vote could be an issue for Sanford.
Mark Sanford
Sanford
Mark Sanford
Sanford
Sanford
"It's extremely tricky political territory for several reasons: One, @placeholder can't effectively execute an apology tour and consistently be on the attack; two, any political attack on Colbert Busch would be used against Sanford and the party as proof of a perceived 'war on women;' three, we have a huge problem right now with the women vote -- so any candidate perceived to be one who disregards women -- is going to face issues getting votes."