Sanford & sins: Politicians who've beaten scandals

Disgraced South Carolina governor wants another shot at office -- and he has company. A fall from grace didn't stop these guys from re-entering politics.

By Kamal Wallace

updated 12:10 AM EST, Thu February 21, 2013

Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford says he wants another chance.

Sanford recently released a campaign ad because he's vying for the seat vacated by Republican Rep. Tim Scott in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District. Scott was appointed to the Senate after Sen. Jim DeMint resigned from office to run the Heritage Foundation.

In June 2009, Sanford left the state without telling anyone where he went. After his return, he admitted during a live press conference that he was involved in an extramarital affair with a woman from Argentina.

Sanford later divorced his wife, Jenny, in 2010. The former governor is currently engaged to the Argentinean girlfriend, Maria Belen Chapur.

"I've experienced how none of us go through life without mistakes. But in their wake we can learn a lot about grace, a God of second chances and be the better for it," Sanford said in the campaign ad.

If he wins the Congressional seat, Sanford wouldn't be the only lawmaker who fell from grace only to reclaim political glory. Check out our slideshow above for some other examples.

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