FIRST LADY FINALLY SPEAKS OUT, OTHERS WEIGH IN

It is one of the biggest political stories in recent South Carolina history. Gov. Mark Sanford left the state without anyone in charge for six days to visit his mistress in Argentina.

The story is dominating national headlines and here in South Carolina, it has everyone talking — including some influential state officials and politicos.

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.

South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Karen Floyd:

On the personal front, today’s news is neither a Republican nor Democrat issue. It is sad that any family suffers like this, particularly when it is played out on a public stage.

Effective, responsive, and responsible government is a hallmark of our party. Conservative leaders have earned and kept the trust of South Carolina’s majority for many years, and I will make every effort to ensure our party keeps that trust.

In the hours and days ahead, I will reach out to and work with Republican office-holders, candidates, and activists to regain public confidence and win the next round of elections.

South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Carol Fowler:

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.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham:

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.

State House Speaker Bobby Harrell (R-Charleston):

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.

State Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee):

I’m deeply disturbed that NO ONE knew where Governor Sanford was over the last five days. He left the country and deliberately made himself unavailable without delegating power to the Lt. Governor. In the process he mislead his staff who unknowingly mislead the public.

These actions could have had drastic consequences in the case of an emergency. We cannot let the Governor’s personal life overshadow his public responsibility, or in this case, his negligence of gubernatorial authority.

State House Majority Leader Kenny Bingham (R-Lexington):

Ultimately, this is a sad day for the Sanford family and all of South Carolina. I am disappointed in the poor personal choices our governor has made. The Republican Party is about personal responsibility. I commend the governor in the complete honesty and candor he showed today.

It is truly unusual in politics to see someone who takes responsibility and offers an honest apology. Now is the time to pray for the Sanford family. We join with the governor in calling on the media to give the governor what he requested, some personal privacy for his family so they can begin the healing process.

State Sen. Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson):

Feeling like I’ve been kicked in the gut, I need to catch my breath before giving a public statement. As I am returning home from a family vacation this afternoon, I’ll gather my thoughts and post a statement sometime soon.

State Sen. Tom Davis (R-Beaufort):

The truth of the gospel is that there is forgiveness for our sins. And we can in turn ask for God’s help to forgive and to get through situations where we’ve sinned. I think we just have to be aware that we’re all susceptible, and as much as we can, put safeguards in our lives and relationships. And when we see the consequences of a public fall like this, it tells all of us: It could be us.

State Sen. John Land (D-Clarendon):

Yesterday, Mark Sanford said that “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.” We need a Governor who can devote his energy to addressing our state’s record-high 12% jobless rate — not a Governor who has said his top priority is elsewhere.

Putting his own personal needs ahead of the job’s demands is self-centered. It suggests that Mark Sanford’s still thinking about what’s best for him, not what’s best for the state.

State Sen. Vincent Sheheen (D-Kershaw):

This is a time for the Governor to be handling personal family matters, and I ask that his family’s privacy be respected. My thoughts and prayers are with Jenny Sanford and the boys.

This is an unfortunate distraction for our state, and we cannot afford to lose sight of the problems that desperately need to be addressed in South Carolina. I am maintaining my focus on the important issues facing our state like job creation and improving public education.

State Rep. Nikki Haley (R-Lexington):

While Governor Sanford and I have long shared a political philosophy, today’s revelations go well beyond politics. This is a tragic situation for the Sanford family and for our state. My prayers are with the Sanfords, and in particular with Jenny and the boys, and I will do anything I can to help them through this ordeal.

My work in the General Assembly and in my campaign for governor has always been centered on bringing trust and accountability back to government. One component of that is treating taxpayer dollars responsibly and changing the structure of state government so it is accountable to taxpayers. Governor Sanford has been a champion of those principles, and I admire his efforts in those areas. However, another component is behaving in a manner that allows people to trust in their public officials and feel good about their government. Obviously, the Governor has fallen far short in that regard and that is extremely unfortunate.

I will continue to bring my message of trust and accountability to the people of our state over the weeks and months ahead. More importantly, I hope to be able to help heal the wounds that have been created in South Carolina by today’s news.

State Rep. Bruce Bannister (R-Greenville):

This entire incident was strange from the beginning, but today’s revelations were stunning. My heart goes out to the First Lady and their four sons.

While the Republican Caucus has had its share of differences with the Governor over the years, we all stand in support of the Sanford family. Nobody wants to see this happen to any family.

Oran Smith, President, Palmetto Family Council:

The purpose of Palmetto Family Council is to constantly keep before the people of South Carolina the simple truth that family is the bedrock of society and that family life should be grounded in fidelity in marriage. Any act which contributes to the breakdown of this social cornerstone is a crime against not only one’s family but against society itself.

In his forthright remarks this afternoon, Governor Mark Sanford, fully aware of the depth and consequences of his failure, told the truth with apparent contrition….and contrition is a start.

It will be a long road for the Sanfords, but we call on all our friends to pray that a healing process will begin today for them, and that we will ultimately see full reconciliation and the restoration of the union that is Jenny and Mark Sanford.

In short, our prayer for Mark, Jenny, Marshall, Landon, Bolton and Blake is that from this day forward the First Family will always put their family first.

May God give each of us the wisdom and grace to do the same.