Mark Sanford not ruling out run for DeMint's seat

Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) isn't ruling out a 2014 Senate run to replace Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.).

"It's not a 'no,' but it's not a 'yes,'" Sanford told the Wall Street Journal when asked about a run, after saying he'd been bombarded by calls from supporters asking him to run for DeMint's seat. DeMint announced Thursday morning that he would resign from the Senate to take over the conservative Heritage Foundation.

The former governor was once viewed as a rising star and possible presidential candidate for the GOP — until he got caught having an extramarital affair with a woman he's now engaged to. In recent months, according to the story, he's been trying to figure out how to reengage in the political arena.

He was also at one time South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's (R) political mentor — she'd been one of his biggest supporters while in the statehouse, and even after his scandal he helped her campaign with a major ad blitz in the race's closing days — and attended her victory rally. It's unclear whether the two are still in contact.