Primary election lesson for GOP: Don’t cross the president

That's the lesson many Republicans are drawing from Rep. Mark Sanford's surprise defeat Tuesday in his primary election in South Carolina. The victor, state Rep. Katie Arrington, repeatedly highlighted Sanford's criticism of the president.

In SC primary, ardent Trump backer defeats Rep. Mark Sanford

U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford hugged his sons after addressing his supporters at Liberty Tap Room in Mount Pleasant, S.C., Tuesday, June 12, 2018. Sanford lost his first election ever Tuesday, beaten for the Republican nomination for another term in the coastal 1st District around Charleston by state Rep. Katie Arrington.

Rep. Sanford loses GOP primary, attacked for Trump criticism

Poll volunteer Tom Spain hands out stickers to former Gov, Mark Sanford after he cast his own ballot at Alhambra Hall polling station Tuesday, June 12, 2018, in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. South Carolina Rep.Katie Arrington, who is running for the first district of South Carolina, campaigns after voting for herself in the primary election on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at Bethany United Methodist Church in Summerville.