CNN: Former SC Gov. Sanford Plans to Run for Congress

Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford intends to run for Congress and may announce his candidacy within days, a former top aide told CNN Thursday.

“He’s looking all but certain to do it,” the aide said.

Sanford would run in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District for the seat being vacated by GOP Rep. Tim Scott, who was appointed to the United States Senate earlier this week to replace retiring Sen. Jim DeMint.

The Republican primary for Scott’s seat will probably take place in late March. South Carolina law requires that primary be held 11 weeks after Scott officially resigns his House seat. That’s expected to occur in early January.

Sanford represented the district from 1995 to 2001. He skewed conservative and frequently libertarian, voting with Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, as part of a very small minority.

Sanford served two terms as governor and was exploring a 2012 presidential bid when he was caught in an extramarital affair that sent his political career plummeting. He is now engaged to his mistress.

Other possible Republican candidates include state House Majority Whip Jimmy Merrill, state Rep. Chip Limehouse, state Sens. Larry Grooms and Chip Campsen, and Sanford’s ex-wife, Jenny Sanford, Politico reports.