Governor Sanford Admits Affair After Week-long Disappearance
Sanford, at a news conference yesterday, apologized to his wife, his four sons, his friends and his staff. He said he will resign as head of the Republican Governors Association, though he didnt respond when asked by reporters whether he will give up the governorship.
“Ive let down a lot of people,” Sanford, 49, said in Columbia, the state capital, after returning from his unannounced trip. “Thats the bottom line. And I let them down.”
Sanford is the second prominent Republican this month to admit an affair, following Senator John Ensign of Nevada, the fourth-ranking Republican in that chamber. Ensign resigned from his leadership post following his admission.
The governor told reporters that for eight years, he and the woman had a “remarkable friendship” and that about a year ago “it sparked into something more than that.”
He said his wife knew about the affair before last weeks trip to Argentina and that they had been “working through this for the last five months.”
Wifes Statement
Sanfords wife, Jenny, released a statement yesterday that said she had asked her husband to leave and stop speaking to her two weeks ago, the Associated Press reported. “This trial separation was agreed to with the goal of ultimately strengthening our marriage,” AP quoted her as saying.
Sanford, who served in the U.S. House from 1995-2001, said his affair “was selfishness on my part, and for that I am most apologetic.” He said he was “committed to getting my heart right.”
The Web site of The State newspaper in Columbia published what it said were excerpts of e-mails between Sanford and a woman in Buenos Aires named Maria. Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said in a telephone interview the governors office wasnt disputing their authenticity.
“I could digress and say that you have the ability to give magnificent gentle kisses, or that I love your tan lines or that I love the curve of your hips,” The State quoted Sanford as writing in one e-mail, “but hey, that would be going into sexual details.”
The U.S. embassy in Buenos Aires confirmed that Sanford visited Argentina in June of last year when he met with former Vice President Daniel Scioli to discuss trade and investment issues. Spokeswoman Mara Tekach said in an interview that the embassy wasnt contacted regarding Sanfords recent trip.
The governor said he was “exhausted” following political battles over his refusal to accept federal stimulus funds, a battle that went to the state Supreme Court.
“One desperately needs a break from the bubble where every moment is recorded,” Sanford said.
Sanfords stance on the stimulus money had heightened his national prominence in Republican circles.
South Carolina Democratic Chairman Carol Fowler said in a statement that the governor “should be given time to focus on his family right now. There will be other opportunities in the weeks ahead to discuss his effectiveness as our states governor.”
During his absence, Sanford was criticized for not transferring power to Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer, a fellow Republican. State Senator John Knotts, also a Republican, said Sanford should have put the lieutenant governor in charge when he left the state.
“This could have all been avoided if he had the best interest in mind of the citizens of South Carolina,” Knotts said.
Republican pollster Whit Ayres said most public officials who admit affairs no longer leave their posts and he didnt expect Sanford to resign.