Mark Sanford casts House votes in a blazer and gym shorts
A schedule change for the House’s Wednesday evening votes took Rep. Mark Sanford by surprise, Roll Call reports.
When the votes were moved up an hour from when they were initially scheduled, the sweat-drenched South Carolina Republican showed up in the Speaker’s Lobby in a T-shirt, gym shorts and running shoes.
Asked by Roll Call’s Heard on the Hill whether he had thought he had enough time for exercise before having to report to the chamber, Sanford gave the gossip blog his driest response: “That’s an accurate assessment.”
During the proceedings, the newly minted representative and former South Carolina governor lingered in the hallway, donning a blazer borrowed from an aide and rushing into the chamber only when he had to cast his votes.
“This is the best thing I’ve ever seen,” said fellow Republican Florida Rep. Trey Radel, greatly amused by the scene. “And I’ve only been here six months."
Radel also suggested that Sanford tug down his shorts to make them look like pants, a recommendation that Sanford ignored.
Other colleagues were slightly more helpful. Republican Michigan Rep. Bill Huizenga asked Sanford whether he needed to borrow a tie, to which the South Carolinian deadpanned, “I might.”
