Mark Sanford, the former South Carolina governor and congressman who faced a scandal over an extramarital affair in 2009, has filed paperwork to run for his old House seat. After a failed 2019 presidential bid, he’s making another comeback, focusing on fiscal conservatism and national debt reduction. His 2012 special election win and 2018 loss to a Trump-backed opponent highlight his turbulent political journey.

Sanford’s 2019 presidential campaign, which collapsed after he criticized Trump, left him sidelined. He published a 2021 book outlining his conservative principles but has largely stayed out of the spotlight during the Trump era. His return to the political scene comes amid a crowded Republican primary in South Carolina’s First Congressional District, where 10 other candidates vie for the seat.

The district, which includes coastal areas, is currently represented by Rep. Nancy Mace, who is running for governor. Sanford’s campaign, which hasn’t been publicly announced yet, faces a field of diverse candidates, including a Jan. 6 rioter pardoned by Trump. His previous attempts to rebuild his image have had mixed results, with Trump’s endorsement of a rival in 2018 proving pivotal.

Sanford’s political career has been marked by highs and lows. After the 2009 scandal, he won a special election in 2012 but later lost to a Trump-backed candidate. His current bid reflects a broader trend of politicians re-emerging post-scandal, though his path to Congress remains uncertain.