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Mark Sanford in South Carolina Congressional election Mark Sanford in South Carolina Congressional election
(35 minutes later)
Voters in South Carolina are deciding whether a former governor who quit two years ago over an extramarital affair will take a seat in the US Congress.Voters in South Carolina are deciding whether a former governor who quit two years ago over an extramarital affair will take a seat in the US Congress.
Mark Sanford faces Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch, a businesswoman and the sister of a TV comedian, in the race for a vacant congressional seat. Mark Sanford faces Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch, a businesswoman and the sister of a TV comedian, in his bid for a political comeback.
Mr Sanford, a Republican, says this will be his last campaign if he loses. Mr Sanford, a Republican, says if he loses he will retire from politics.
He comfortably won a Republican primary runoff in April. Polls close in the state at 19:00 EST (23:00 GMT). He comfortably won a Republican Party primary in April. Polls close in the state at 19:00 EST (23:00 GMT).
He held the same congressional seat for three terms before becoming governor in 2003. Mr Sanford, 52, held the same congressional seat for three terms before becoming governor in 2003.
It was left vacant when its previous occupant, Tim Scott, was appointed to a vacant Senate seat.
"You can go back in and you can ask for a second chance in a political sense once," he said on Tuesday after voting. "I've done that, and we'll see what the voters say.""You can go back in and you can ask for a second chance in a political sense once," he said on Tuesday after voting. "I've done that, and we'll see what the voters say."
'Sanford fatigue''Sanford fatigue'
The former governor, once considered a rising star in the Republican Party, saw his political fortunes fall in 2009 after acknowledging an extramarital affair. The former governor, once considered a rising star in the Republican Party, saw his political fortunes fall in 2009 when he acknowledged an extramarital affair.
After telling his staff he was hiking the famed Appalachian Trail and disappearing for several days, the then-married governor returned to the state to admit that he had been in Argentina with a mistress.After telling his staff he was hiking the famed Appalachian Trail and disappearing for several days, the then-married governor returned to the state to admit that he had been in Argentina with a mistress.
He was censured by the state legislature and fined $70,000 (£45,000) for the travel expenses - the largest ethics fine in state history. But Mr Sanford defied numerous calls to step down before his term ended in January 2011.He was censured by the state legislature and fined $70,000 (£45,000) for the travel expenses - the largest ethics fine in state history. But Mr Sanford defied numerous calls to step down before his term ended in January 2011.
He divorced his wife Jenny and is now engaged to the Argentine woman, ex-TV reporter Maria Belen Chapur.He divorced his wife Jenny and is now engaged to the Argentine woman, ex-TV reporter Maria Belen Chapur.
Ms Colbert Busch, 58, is a businesswoman and the sister of television political satirist Stephen Colbert, who has raised money for her campaign.Ms Colbert Busch, 58, is a businesswoman and the sister of television political satirist Stephen Colbert, who has raised money for her campaign.
She gained the endorsement of The Post and Courier, a major newspaper in the area, which said she offered "responsible leadership" and was "a welcome tonic" for "Sanford fatigue".She gained the endorsement of The Post and Courier, a major newspaper in the area, which said she offered "responsible leadership" and was "a welcome tonic" for "Sanford fatigue".
Ms Colbert Busch has focused on her business experience during the race, initially refusing to make Mr Sanford's past an issue.Ms Colbert Busch has focused on her business experience during the race, initially refusing to make Mr Sanford's past an issue.
But last week, she reminded voters during a televised debate that Mr Sanford had used taxpayer money to leave the state for personal reasons.But last week, she reminded voters during a televised debate that Mr Sanford had used taxpayer money to leave the state for personal reasons.
Analysts say the race is close, with polling suggesting Mr Sanford and Ms Colbert Busch are almost tied in a conservative district where 60% voted for former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in November. Analysts say the race is close, with polling suggesting Mr Sanford and Ms Colbert Busch are almost tied in a conservative district where almost 60% voted for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in November.
'Predicting victory''Predicting victory'
As she voted on Tuesday, Ms Colbert Busch said she felt "very positive, very encouraged" about the election.As she voted on Tuesday, Ms Colbert Busch said she felt "very positive, very encouraged" about the election.
"I'm predicting victory," she said."I'm predicting victory," she said.
The former governor's attempt at a political comeback has not been entirely smooth.The former governor's attempt at a political comeback has not been entirely smooth.
Three weeks before the special election, it was revealed that his ex-wife had filed a court complaint alleging he had entered her house in February without permission, a violation of their divorce agreement.Three weeks before the special election, it was revealed that his ex-wife had filed a court complaint alleging he had entered her house in February without permission, a violation of their divorce agreement.
Mr Sanford said he had been unable to get in touch with her and had been in the house to watch the Super Bowl championship football game with his youngest son. He is due in court on Thursday.Mr Sanford said he had been unable to get in touch with her and had been in the house to watch the Super Bowl championship football game with his youngest son. He is due in court on Thursday.
The national Republican party pulled its support from the campaign after the complaint became public.The national Republican party pulled its support from the campaign after the complaint became public.
But Mr Sanford has gained the endorsement of Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, a well-known conservative.But Mr Sanford has gained the endorsement of Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, a well-known conservative.
He is running for South Carolina's first congressional district, the same seat where he previously served from 1995-2001. The district has been slightly redrawn since the last election.He is running for South Carolina's first congressional district, the same seat where he previously served from 1995-2001. The district has been slightly redrawn since the last election.