News

Mark Sanford Becomes Third Republican To Announce 2020 Presidential Bid Challenging Trump

Former Rep. Mark Sanford (R-South Carolina) announced he will challenge President Donald Trump in the GOP primary, becoming his third Republican challenger. He is running on a platform of reducing the national debt and restoring civility in politics.

 


Sanford is a self-described “financial conservative” who served as a U.S. Representative for South Carolina’s first congressional district from 1995-2001 and 2013-2019, as well as governor from 2003-2011. Although he supported Trump in the 2016 election, he has since criticized his excess spending.

In an interview with Fox News, Sanford said he hopes he can open a conversation about national spending.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

“Once every four years we have the chance to have a national debate on where we’re going next as republicans and democrats and as Americans, and the thing that has been lacking in this debate has been an earnest and real conversation on debt and deficits and government spending,” he said.

As a congressman, Sanford introduced the Obamacare Replacement Act with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), which would reduce the government’s involvement in choosing an insurance policy and protect those with pre-existing conditions. Like many Republicans, he supported funding for the Mexican border wall and voted “yes” on pro-life legislation.

He joins former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld and former Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh as Republicans challenging Trump.

After he first announced he was considering a presidential bid in July, Trump mocked him and his two fellow Republican nominees in a tweet calling them the ‘Three Stooges’ and referenced Sanford’s 2009 extramarital affair.

Sanford has since apologized for the incident, in which he disappeared for a few days saying he was hiking the Appalachian Trail, when he was actually visiting his Argentinian girlfriend.

He faces the hurdle of challenging Trump without the support of his home-state South Carolina voters, after they decided to cancel their 2020 GOP primary.

When asked if he thinks he stands a chance against Trump, he replied, “I’m saying you never know.”

WATCH BETO TAKEDOWN TRUMP:

Katherine Huggins

Recent Posts

VIDEO: Trump Watches SpaceX Launch Alongside Elon Musk & Ted Cruz

https://youtube.com/shorts/YVrfbMZSVRE?feature=share US President-elect Donald Trump drew cheers as he arrived in Texas on Nov. 19 to watch…

2 days ago

Foreign Policy Experts Voice Concern About Trump’s Nomination Of Tulsi Gabbard For Director Of National Intelligence

After President-elect Donald Trump selected Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, as his nominee for…

3 days ago

Trump’s Pick Of Vaccine-Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Alarms Scientific Community

President-elect Donald Trump's announcement that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be his pick for Department…

4 days ago

VIDEO: President-Elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk & Cabinet Picks Attend UFC Fight In NYC, Crowd Chants “USA”

https://youtube.com/shorts/6CUvTmS87UM?feature=share President-elect Donald Trump arrived to cheers at an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event in…

4 days ago

Trump Pick Of Matt Gaetz For Attorney General Sends Shock Waves Through Capitol

President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) as his attorney general has sent shockwaves through…

5 days ago

VIDEO: Fights Break Out In Stand During France-Israel Match

https://youtube.com/shorts/TD8RNJl-NBk A fight broke out in one of the stands at the Stade de France…

5 days ago