Former Gov. Mark Sanford will announce Wednesday morning he is running for the 1st Congressional District seat vacated by Tim Scott, according to a Sanford campaign consultant.

Time and location are yet to be announced.

That throws Sanford into an already-crowded pack of GOP contenders hoping to represent the district that includes parts of Charleston and Beaufort counties.

It will be an attempted comeback by the former congressman and governor, who made international headlines in 2009 when he secretly slipped out of the state while governor to visit his Argentine love. The fallout wrecked his marriage and prompted speculation Sanford's political career is finished.

Sanford, who lives in Charleston, has since become engaged to Maria Belen Chapur, the Argentine woman with whom he was involved, and has been scouting office space in Charleston, according to media reports.

The congressional seat is available since Scott, R-Charleston, replaced Republican Sent. Jim DeMint, who retired with four years remaining in his term to become the head of the Heritage Foundation think tank.

Check back with The Island Packet for details.