Mark Sanford attends the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 28, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
BRUCE SMITH
Associated Press
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - Voters weigh in Tuesday on former Gov. Mark Sanford's hopes of a comeback four years after his political career was derailed by revelations of an affair.
Sanford is one of 16 Republicans vying in Tuesday's primary in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District along the state's southern coast. A runoff is expected and the GOP winner will run a third time in the May 7 special election to fill the seat left vacant when Tim Scott was appointed to the U.S. Senate.
Sanford has wide name recognition and a deep campaign war chest. He is expected to be one of the two Republicans advancing.
But he says he's not presuming anything. He told reporters at a recent campaign stop he's "guardedly optimistic and hopeful."