News that the NRCC has decided to pass on further involvement in the May 7 special election in South Carolina's 1st CD - in effect, relegating former Gov. Mark Sanford to "Todd Akin land" - moves the race from Lean Republican to Toss Up. Sanford, who apparently did not tell national Republicans he is headed to family court two days after the election on charges of trespassing his ex-wife's home in February, has singlehandedly put what ought to be a solid GOP seat in great jeopardy.But DC Republicans should also feel some relief. The trespassing bombshell gives them a smart and convenient exit from an awkward, lose-lose situation. Had Republicans dragged Sanford across the finish line, they would have only gotten credit for holding a seat that never should have been competitive in the first place and helping to add a deeply flawed character to their ranks. An outright loss would have meant more severe embarrassment and wasted money.Back in South Carolina, the trespassing charge undermines Sanford's nascent efforts to transition the topic of conservation from himself to Democrat Elizabeth
Subscribe Today
Our subscribers have first access to individual race pages for each House, Senate and Governors race, which will include race ratings (each race is rated on a seven-point scale) and a narrative analysis pertaining to that race.