Mark Sanford is headed back to Congress after trouncing Democrat
Elizabeth Colbert Busch with 54 percent of the votes, a 9 percentage point
victory that dashed predictions of a close race.
The big victory Tuesday suggests First Congressional District voters cared more
about a consistent voice for limited government and no new spending than
transgressions that seemed certain to torpedo Sanford?s political career four
years ago.
Charleston businesswoman Colbert Busch received 45 percent of the vote while
Green Party candidate Eugene Platt took less than 1 percent.
The former governor and congressman took all five counties that comprise the
district. In Beaufort County, Sanford won nearly 53 percent to Colbert Busch?s
nearly 47 percent.
"I want to acknowledge a God not just of second chances," Sanford said in his
victory speech in Charleston, referring to his first TV ad in which he asked
voters to support him despite his past problems. "But a God of third, fourth,
fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth chances because that is the reality of our
shared humanity."
On the campaign trail, Sanford successfully touted his work to cut government
spending and his votes against projects he deemed worthy, if he disagreed with
the way they were to be funded, as proof that he had never let taxpayers down.
Meanwhile, he successfully jabbed Colbert Busch, casting her as a wishy-washy
ally of unions, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and other national Democrats
who would follow their agenda.
Colbert Busch touted her business experience and cast Sanford as an
untrustworthy politician who had voted against important economic development
projects, including the expansion of the Charleston port.
"My only pledge was to the people of the First District, and I respect your
decision," Colbert Busch said in brief remarks Tuesday.
Many voters said it was Sanford's record of looking out for taxpayers while he
was in Congress for three terms and governor for two terms that convinced them
to support the Charleston Republican.
"He's not perfect by any means," said voter Paul Good of Bluffton. "But he's
been in office before and he did a good job for South Carolina."
The personal issues, he said, were ultimately personal and did not factor into
his decision-making.
"Otherwise, we get a Democrat and every time Democrats get in office, they won't
quit spending and they won't stop with the entitlements," Good said.
Roberta Harris of Sun City said Sanford's efforts to connect Colbert Busch with
Pelosi and other national Democrats who have contributed generously to her
campaign proved effective.
"There's something about when they brought up the name Nancy Pelosi," Harris
said. "We don't need more of that kind of thinking here."
And trespassing allegations made by Sanford's ex-wife, Jenny Sanford, seemed to
backfire with some voters.
"When I heard about that I thought these people are grasping at straws. That
turned me off," Harris said.
Mark Sanford is due in Family Court Thursday to answer allegations that he
entered his ex-wife?s home, violating their divorce agreement. Jenny Sanford has
said it is a pattern of repeated behavior. Mark Sanford has said he was watching
the second half of the Super Bowl with the couple?s youngest son.
The campaign generated high interest, especially in Beaufort County where 33
percent of voters turned out, exceeding the typical 10 to 12 percent turnout for
special elections, said Scott Marshall, the county?s top election official.
A similarly high turnout of 34 percent was seen in Charleston County.
The two counties comprise the largest percent of voters in the district.
Still, a substantial number of Colbert Busch supporters in Beaufort County said
in interviews Tuesday they were voting against Sanford more than supporting
Colbert Busch because they were disgusted with Sanford's personal life.
"I'm voting more in protest of him than anything else," said Bob Malito of Sun
City, who cast a vote for Colbert Busch. "If someone loses the trust of the
people by what they've done -- and he has done that by behavior that makes him
irredeemable for public office -- then we must vote in a way that reflects
that."
John Johns of Bluffton didn't want to vote for Sanford but didn't want to
support Colbert Busch either. At the last minute, he cast his ballot for Green
Party candidate Eugene Platt.
"I didn't feel like I had another choice," he said.
