Former Gov. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., has entered the Republican primary to replace Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who is running for governor.

“People have been telling me it’s time to get off the bleachers,” he told the South Carolina Post and Courier.

Sanford previously served in Congress from 1995-2001. He served as governor from 2003-2011 and returned to Congress from 2013-2019. 

He lost his reelection bid to a Trump-backed primary challenger and later mounted an unsuccessful primary challenge to President Donald Trump in 2020.

The race currently has 11 Republicans and seven Democrats vying for the seat, The Hill reported.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.