(CNN) -- Mark Sanford is another step closer to political redemption, but the real headline out of his Tuesday victory in a Republican primary runoff for his old congressional seat was a rare public appearance by his former mistress -- who's now his fiancée. And while the former South Carolina governor is considered the favorite in next month's general election showdown with Democratic nominee Elizabeth Colbert Busch, the sister of satirist and Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert, his past infidelity remains front and center in the race and could continue to hurt him with crucial female voters. Democrats wasted no time in attacking Sanford over the affair.
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Disgraced former Gov. Mark Sanford won a runoff for U.S. House seat in South Carolina
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He'll now face Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch, sister of "The Colbert Report" star
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National Democrats started attacks against Sanford shortly after Tuesday's win
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While GOP acknowledges Sanford's liabilities, his district might be more forgiving than others
The episode sank any hopes Sanford had of making a bid for the 2012 @placeholder presidential nomination.
"It's extremely tricky political territory for several reasons: One, @placeholder can't effectively execute an apology tour and consistently be on the attack; two, any political attack on Colbert Busch would be used against Sanford and the party as proof of a perceived 'war on women;' three, we have a huge problem right now with the women vote -- so any candidate perceived to be one who disregards women -- is going to face issues getting votes."