Poll: Sanford trails Colbert-Busch by nine points

After revelations that Sanford's ex-wife filed a trespassing complaint against him, he's taken a hit in the polls

Published April 23, 2013 12:59PM (EDT)

A new poll from the Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling finds that Mark Sanford is now trailing his Democratic opponent Elizabeth Colbert-Busch by nine points, by a margin of 50-41 percent.

From the poll:

Colbert Busch's lead is on the rise for several reasons. She has a 51/35 advantage with independents. She's winning over 19% of Republicans, while losing just 7% of Democrats. And it also seems that after last week's revelations about Sanford that a lot of GOP voters are planning to just stay at home- while the district supported Mitt Romney by 18 points last fall, those planning to turn out for the special election voted for him by only a 5 point spread.

Last week's revelations involve the reportedly multiple complaints filed by Jenny Sanford, Mark Sanford's ex-wife, accusing him of trespassing and violating the terms of their divorce.


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

MORE FROM Jillian Rayfield


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

2013 Elections Elizabeth Colbert-busch Jenny Sanford Mark Sanford South Carolina