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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford says he is considering a campaign for his former seat in Congress.

Sanford is a former two-term governor who was a rising GOP star before he vanished from South Carolina for five days in 2009. Reporters were told he was hiking the Appalachian Trail, but he later acknowledged he was visiting his mistress in Argentina.

Sanford said late Saturday he is weighing a run for the seat that will open in January when Rep. Tim Scott formally takes Sen. Jim DeMint's office. DeMint announced earlier this month he was resigning.

Sanford's ex-wife Jenny has also said she is considering a run for the seat.

Sanford is engaged to Maria Belen Chapur, the woman he called his soul mate when he announced the affair.