South Carolina Republicans in Congress have been reluctant to discuss their support for Sanford, but Rep. Joe Wilson lamented to the Washington Post on Thursday that primary voters in his neighboring district had not chosen a different nominee in the March primary and April runoff.

“At least 10 to 12 of the people would have been terrific candidates,” Wilson said. “I’m concerned about how the primary worked out. It was just so unfortunate.”

State Republican operatives, meanwhile, have been increasingly second-guessing their party’s wisdom in choosing someone whose political baggage was already vividly evident before last week’s revelation.

“Sometimes the worst wounds are self-inflicted,” said Greenville-based Republican consultant Chip Felkel. “The GOP and Sanford knew this was coming, and he still ran. And for some reason, the party allowed a crowded field, which paved the way. Lots of blame to go around if Colbert Busch wins.”

The Democrat has thus far declined to comment on the most recent Sanford controversy, allowing her opponent’s personal woes to speak for themselves.