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| Mark Sanford and Elizabeth Colbert Busch head South Carolina field | Mark Sanford and Elizabeth Colbert Busch head South Carolina field |
| (17 days later) | |
| Polls opened on Tuesday in a US congressional race that has thrown together a colourful cast of candidates including Stephen Colbert's sister, Ted Turner's son and a former governor of the state who once gave new meaning to "hiking the Appalachian trail". | Polls opened on Tuesday in a US congressional race that has thrown together a colourful cast of candidates including Stephen Colbert's sister, Ted Turner's son and a former governor of the state who once gave new meaning to "hiking the Appalachian trail". |
| The primary election, to select nominees for South Carolina's first district congressional seat, has drawn a crowded field, with two contenders for the Democratic nomination and 16 for the Republican. Colbert's sister, Elizabeth Colbert Busch, a businesswoman who is on the staff of Clemson University, is favourite to secure the Democratic nomination. She has been boosted by her brother, who is campaigning for her. The Comedy Central host, who rarely abandons his satirical conservative persona in public, told CNN's Jake Tapper on Monday: "I'm willing to, you know, break the jewel of my own creation to try to do something for her." | The primary election, to select nominees for South Carolina's first district congressional seat, has drawn a crowded field, with two contenders for the Democratic nomination and 16 for the Republican. Colbert's sister, Elizabeth Colbert Busch, a businesswoman who is on the staff of Clemson University, is favourite to secure the Democratic nomination. She has been boosted by her brother, who is campaigning for her. The Comedy Central host, who rarely abandons his satirical conservative persona in public, told CNN's Jake Tapper on Monday: "I'm willing to, you know, break the jewel of my own creation to try to do something for her." |
| He added: "I'm not worried about what it would do to me or my show to try to help her as myself – not as my character, to help her as myself. And you know, if people think that's not the right thing for me to do, I don't care. It's my sister, and I'm willing to help her." | He added: "I'm not worried about what it would do to me or my show to try to help her as myself – not as my character, to help her as myself. And you know, if people think that's not the right thing for me to do, I don't care. It's my sister, and I'm willing to help her." |
| In a segment on his show last week, Colbert joked: "As a broadcast journalist, I am obligated to maintain objectivity. It doesn't matter that my sister is intelligent, hardworking, compassionate and dedicated to the people of South Carolina." | In a segment on his show last week, Colbert joked: "As a broadcast journalist, I am obligated to maintain objectivity. It doesn't matter that my sister is intelligent, hardworking, compassionate and dedicated to the people of South Carolina." |
| There are only two contenders for the Democratic nomination – the other is Ben Frasier – but 16 for the Republican one, reflecting the seat's status as a relatively safe Republican district. The special election is for a place in the House that was vacated last year when Governor Nikki Haley appointed Tim Scott to fill an empty Senate place. | There are only two contenders for the Democratic nomination – the other is Ben Frasier – but 16 for the Republican one, reflecting the seat's status as a relatively safe Republican district. The special election is for a place in the House that was vacated last year when Governor Nikki Haley appointed Tim Scott to fill an empty Senate place. |
| The district includes parts of Charleston and the surrounding area, and is strongly Republican. In 2010, Scott was elected with 65% of the vote to 29% for his Democrat opponent; he was re-elected in 2012, by 62% to the Democrat's 36%. | The district includes parts of Charleston and the surrounding area, and is strongly Republican. In 2010, Scott was elected with 65% of the vote to 29% for his Democrat opponent; he was re-elected in 2012, by 62% to the Democrat's 36%. |
| Although there has been little polling, the former South Carolina governor Mark Sanford, according to local media, is favourite to top the Republican poll, though he is regarded as unlikely to secure the 50% needed to prevent a run-off on 2 April. Sanford is looking for a political comeback after his troubled time as South Carolina governor. In 2009, he disappeared for almost a week, telling his staff he was hiking the Appalachian trail. He later admitted that he had been in Argentina with his mistress. | Although there has been little polling, the former South Carolina governor Mark Sanford, according to local media, is favourite to top the Republican poll, though he is regarded as unlikely to secure the 50% needed to prevent a run-off on 2 April. Sanford is looking for a political comeback after his troubled time as South Carolina governor. In 2009, he disappeared for almost a week, telling his staff he was hiking the Appalachian trail. He later admitted that he had been in Argentina with his mistress. |
| He has since divorced, but Sanford asked his former wife to run his campaign. She declined. | He has since divorced, but Sanford asked his former wife to run his campaign. She declined. |
| Sanford benefits in part from name-recognition, not just from his time as governor and the sex scandal but because he was congressman for the same district before he was elected governor. If he wins his old seat back, it would be a remarkable rebound for a man who was derided in the media and by fellow politicians only four years ago. | Sanford benefits in part from name-recognition, not just from his time as governor and the sex scandal but because he was congressman for the same district before he was elected governor. If he wins his old seat back, it would be a remarkable rebound for a man who was derided in the media and by fellow politicians only four years ago. |
| Name recognition appears to be a hindrance for Ted Turner, son of the founder of CNN, Ted Turner. In interviews, the younger Turner acknowledged that it was difficult to stand as a Republican given his famous father and the fact that Jane Fonda is his stepmother. Others in with a chance include Chip Limehouse, a state legislator. The final election will be held on 7 May. | Name recognition appears to be a hindrance for Ted Turner, son of the founder of CNN, Ted Turner. In interviews, the younger Turner acknowledged that it was difficult to stand as a Republican given his famous father and the fact that Jane Fonda is his stepmother. Others in with a chance include Chip Limehouse, a state legislator. The final election will be held on 7 May. |
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