Flynt said Sanford's embrace of his mistress was an 'act of bravery.' | AP Photos Flynt backs 'sex pioneer' Sanford

The founder and publisher of Hustler magazine has endorsed Mark Sanford for Congress, lauding him as a “sex pioneer” who challenges the “sexual hypocrisy of traditional values” — and asking for a photo op.

“I’m endorsing Mark Sanford for U.S. Congress because no one has done more to expose the sexual hypocrisy of traditional values in America today,” Larry Flynt of Hustler said in an endorsement posted Tuesday on YouTube. “Mark Sanford has demonstrated by his words and deeds that traditional values are shameful and that he will not live by such rules. His open embrace of his mistress in the name of love, breaking his sacred marriage vows, was an act of bravery that has drawn my support.”


Flynt’s endorsement of Sanford — it was not immediately clear whether the spot was intended to be satirical — comes ahead of a May 7 special election for the Charleston, S.C.-area seat. Sanford, the former Republican governor of South Carolina, is now engaged to his former mistress and divorced from his wife.

( PHOTOS: Mark Sanford’s career)

“My endorsement has not been an easy decision for me,” Flynt continued. “Even though Mark Sanford has emerged as a sexual leader, he is a liar. He lied to his staff, and he lied to his wife; he lied to his children, and he lied to the people of South Carolina. Despite his journey down this Appalachian Trail of deceit, I support him for exposing the hypocrisy of traditional values. The liar has exposed the greater lie.”

Flynt, who during the 2012 election cycle grudgingly told The Daily Caller that he would back President Barack Obama, later authored a post titled “Why You Should Vote the Democratic Ticket,” citing the economy and social issues, like gay marriage and reproductive health. But on Monday, he said that he would donate $2,600 — the maximum individual contribution — to Sanford, who is running against Democratic candidate Elizabeth Colbert Busch.

“I invite Mark Sanford to meet with me man to man for a photo opportunity, to shake my hand in gratitude for my endorsement,” he said. “I’m looking forward to personally congratulating America’s great sex pioneer.”

A possible photo-op seems unlikely. When asked about the endorsement in a press gaggle on Tuesday, Sanford called the question “silly.”

“It’s one of those endorsements that’s designed to hurt you. … I can say with certainty that it’s not going to help me,” Sanford said.

In his endorsement, Flynt also slammed the GOP for abandoning Sanford — “but I’m willing to step in and stand erect for Mark Sanford,” he said — and praised his backers in the 1st Congressional District of South Carolina for forgetting the teachings of their preachers and being willing to “toss the false sanctity of marriage into the trash can.”

Alex Isenstadt contributed to this report.