URGENT / DEVELOPING

The State newspaper in Columbia SC obtains emails between Governor Sanford and his mistress. 

DEVELOPING

1723 Jenny Sanford Statement

Statement from First Lady Jenny Sanford

I would like to start by saying I love my husband and I believe I have put forth every effort possible to be the best wife I can be during our almost twenty years of marriage. As well, for the last fifteen years my husband has been fully engaged in public service to the citizens and taxpayers of this state and I have faithfully supported him in those efforts to the best of my ability. I have been and remain proud of his accomplishments and his service to this state.

I personally believe that the greatest legacy I will leave behind in this world is not the job I held on Wall Street, or the campaigns I managed for Mark, or the work I have done as First Lady or even the philanthropic activities in which I have been routinely engaged. Instead, the greatest legacy I will leave in this world is the character of the children I, or we, leave behind. It is for that reason that I deeply regret the recent actions of my husband Mark, and their potential damage to our children.

I believe wholeheartedly in the sanctity, dignity and importance of the institution of marriage. I believe that has been consistently reflected in my actions. When I found out about my husband’s infidelity I worked immediately to first seek reconciliation through forgiveness, and then to work diligently to repair our marriage. We reached a point where I felt it was important to look my sons in the eyes and maintain my dignity, self-respect, and my basic sense of right and wrong. I therefore asked my husband to leave two weeks ago.

This trial separation was agreed to with the goal of ultimately strengthening our marriage. During this short separation it was agreed that Mark would not contact us. I kept this separation quiet out of respect of his public office and reputation, and in hopes of keeping our children from just this type of public exposure. Because of this separation, I did not know where he was in the past week.

I believe enduring love is primarily a commitment and an act of will, and for a marriage to be successful, that commitment must be reciprocal. I believe Mark has earned a chance to resurrect our marriage.

Psalm 127 states that sons are a gift from the Lord and children a reward from Him. I will continue to pour my energy into raising our sons to be honorable young men. I remain willing to forgive Mark completely for his indiscretions and to welcome him back, in time, if he continues to work toward reconciliation with a true spirit of humility and repentance.

This is a very painful time for us and I would humbly request now that members of the media respect the privacy of my boys and me as we struggle together to continue on with our lives and as I seek the wisdom of Solomon, the strength and patience of Job and the grace of God in helping to heal my family.

__________________________

16:54 Jenny Sanford says Affair Not News to Her

DEVELOPING

SC SENATOR LINDSAY GRAHAM MAKES STATEMENT

Statement from Senator Lindsey Graham

 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement.

 “I’ve been a close friend of Mark and Jenny since our election to Congress in 1994.  Like all of their friends, I want the best for their family and hope they can repair the damage.  I will provide any personal support I can.

 “Jenny and Mark have four wonderful boys.  The Sanford family needs time and space to work through their challenges.  I hope they are afforded that opportunity.

 “As for the future, I hope Mark will reconcile with his family and can continue serving as our state’s governor.”

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DEVELOPING

1615 – SC Democratic Party says Leave Gov’s Family Alone

Columbia, SC- South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler issued the following statement today in response to Governor Mark Sanford’s admission during a press conference to having an extramarital affair. The Governor returned to the state today from Argentina.

“Our thoughts are with the Governor’s family at this time. Mark Sanford 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 state’s governor,” said Fowler.

1530 UPDATE DEVELOPING: Sanford Issues Statement

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

MARK SANFORD, GOVERNOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gov. Sanford Issues Follow-up Statement on Today’s Media Availability

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.

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In a press conference this afternoon at the South Carolina State Capitol, Governor Mark Sanford said that he is a “bottom line guy” and that he apologizes to his wife Jenny and his four sons, before admitting to an extramarital affair.

“I have been unfaithful to my wife.” Sanford said.  “We have been working through this for the last five months.” was the answer the governor gave to a question about whether the couple was separated.

The Governor said he was not alone in Argentina.  He says that he met “this person” innocently years ago.  He said that she lives in Argentina. Without divulging the woman’s identity, he says he developed a remarkable friendship that sparked into “something else” a little over a year ago.  He went on to describe this as “selfishness”.

The Governor took responsibility and apologized to his staff and to the people of South Carolina. 

Governor Sanford also resigned as Chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association.