Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has won election to the U.S. Senate, redeeming his political career after it was derailed by scandal four years ago.
Sanford, a Republican, defeated Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch Tuesday in the state's 1st Congressional District. Colbert Busch is the sister of political satirist Stephen Colbert.
With 71 percent of the precincts reporting, Sanford has 54 percent of the vote and The Associated Press has called the race for him.
While governor in 2009, Sanford disappeared for five days telling his staff that he was hiking the Appalachian Trail. He later admitted he'd been in Argentina with his mistress. The ensuing scandal destroyed his marriage and nearly destroyed his political career.
Copyright 2013 NPR. To see more, visit www.npr.org.
