South Carolina Statehouse Blog

Columbia, S.C. - June 30, 2009 - Governor Mark Sanford today issued the following statement on Attorney General McMaster calling for a preliminary investigation of the governor’s travel in relation to his acknowledged marital infidelity:

“We’re pleased that SLED will look into this matter,” Gov. Sanford said. “There’s been a lot of speculation and innuendo on whether or not public moneys were used to advance my admitted unfaithfulness. To be very clear: no public money was ever used in connection with this. We believe the best way to put those questions to rest once and for all is for SLED to ask these questions, and we plan on cooperating fully.”

Columbia, S.C. - June 26, 2009 - Governor Mark Sanford today issued the following statement after his Cabinet meeting:

“More than anything, today was about letting my team in the Cabinet know how sorry I am for letting them down,” Gov. Sanford “But more importantly, today is a reminder that our work goes on. Each of our agency directors has a job to do in serving the people of South Carolina, and despite how I have disappointed them and the people of South Carolina collectively, we all have important roles to fill in this larger Administration.

“I remain committed to rebuilding the trust that has been committed to me over the next 18 months, and it is my hope that I am able to follow the example set by David in Bible - who after his fall from grace humbly refocused on the work at hand. By doing so, I will ultimately better serve in every area of my life, and I am committed to doing so.”

Columbia, S.C. - June 25, 2009 - Governor Mark Sanford today issued the following statement:

“As noted by the Department of Commerce, I attended a trade mission with the Department of Commerce last June. As the agenda notes, the mission was spent meeting with government and private business officials in both Brazil and Argentina. This trip was handled very professionally by the Department of Commerce, and I’m proud of their work there.

“However, while the purpose of this trip was an entirely professional and appropriate business development trip, I made a mistake while I was there in meeting with the woman who I was unfaithful to my wife with. That has raised some very legitimate concerns and questions, and as such I am going to reimburse the state for the full cost of the Argentina leg of this trip,” Gov. Sanford said.

(Columbia, SC) – House Speaker Bobby Harrell issued the statement below following Governor Sanford’s press conference:

“Today’s revelations are disturbing and shocking. There is no excuse for the unfortunate events that have transpired in recent days.

“The personal issues must be sorted out by the Sanford family and we hope for the best for them during this most difficult time.

“For five days the governor let his staff deceive the press and the people of South Carolina regarding where he was and what he was doing.

“The governor’s absence has brought to light some issues regarding the chain of command in the absence of the chief executive. It is imperative that the General Assembly deal with this during the next session. More importantly, we must focus on our state’s economy and improving education. With our unemployment rate as the third worst in the country, our time has to be devoted to getting unemployed South Carolinians back to work, improving education and growing our state’s economy.”

Columbia, S.C. - June 24, 2009 - Governor Mark Sanford today issued the following statement:

“First and foremost, I apologize to my wife and my four boys. I have made decisions that have hurt and will continue to hurt them, and for that I’m sincerely sorry. Jenny has stood by me through campaign after campaign, through hard time after hard time, and neither she nor the boys deserve this. Please offer them your prayers.

“I apologize to my staff. I misled them about my whereabouts, and as a result the people of South Carolina believed something that wasn’t true. I want to make absolutely clear that over the past two days at no time did anyone on my staff intentionally relay false information to other state officials or the public at large. What they’ve said over the past two days they believed to be true, and I’m sorry to them for putting them in this position.

“I apologize to the people of South Carolina. There are many people out there right now who are hurt, angry and disappointed with me, and rightfully so. Over the time that I have left in office, I’m going to devote my energy to building back the trust the people of this state have placed in me.

“I ask for your forgiveness, and your prayers for everyone who I’ve hurt,” Sanford said.