How Elizabeth Colbert Busch is beating Mark Sanford in the polls
The former governor of South Carolina could use some good press right about now

It looks like Elizabeth Colbert Busch isn't just a novelty act after all. In the latest survey from the left-leaning Public Policy Polling, Colbert Busch, sister to Comedy Central star Stephen Colbert, has jumped to a 9-point lead over opponent Mark Sanford in their race to represent South Carolina's 1st Congressional District in the House.
That puts her in prime position to win a May 7 special election. How did she jump so far ahead when the two were neck-and-neck only a few weeks ago?
Mark Sanford, the disgraced former governor of the state, weirded voters out by allegedly trespassing on his ex-wife's home. Jenny Sanford — the ex-wife Mark Sanford left for his Argentine mistress — accused him of violating their divorce agreement by sneaking around the back door of her home without her permission.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sanford protested that he was just trying to watch the Super Bowl with his son while he thought she was out of town. But the National Republican Congressional Committee ran out of patience, pulled its funding, and now Sanford finds himself trailing in the polls.
When asked whether the trespassing incident gave them doubts about Sanford's fitness for office, 51 percent of respondents said yes. As Dean Debnam, president of Public Policy Polling, put it: "The only question is whether an extremely unpopular Sanford can find some way to make voters like her even less than him in the next two weeks."
Here are the favorability ratings for the all the players involved:
Elizabeth Colbert Busch: 56 percentMark Sanford: 38 percentStephen Colbert: 39 percentJenny Sanford: 49 percent
In response to his falling poll numbers, Sanford has been calling Colbert Busch out for not agreeing to more debates. Gina Smith of The State writes that many take that as a sign that "Colbert Busch’s campaign is trying to shield its novice candidate from the politically seasoned Sanford, who has never lost an election and has a tried-and-true debate style." The two currently have one debate scheduled for April 29.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Meanwhile, Colbert Busch, who is running as an independent, has announced the formation of Republicans for Elizabeth Colbert Busch, hoping to capitalize, no doubt, on the 19 percent of Republicans who said they would vote for her.
Keith Wagstaff is a staff writer at TheWeek.com covering politics and current events. He has previously written for such publications as TIME, Details, VICE, and the Village Voice.
-
How wild horses are preventing wildfires in Spain
Under The Radar The animals roam more than 5,700 hectares of public forest, reducing the volume of combustible vegetation in the landscape
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Week contest: Soundproof web
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
6 dream homes with chef’s kitchens
Feature Featuring a house with two kitchen islands in Utah and a kitchen with a stove nook in New York
By The Week US Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published