Most GOP state senators want Sanford out

Related clicks:
Ethics Commission awaits response from Gov. Mark Sanford (11/05/09)
Where they stand on Sanford (07/02/09)

COLUMBIA — The majority of South Carolina's state Senate Republicans are calling on Gov. Mark Sanford to leave office.

The growing chorus of lawmakers who've publicly announced or told The Associated Press they want the philandering governor gone reached 14 Wednesday. There are 27 Republicans in the Senate — a 46-member chamber the party controls.

The tally shows the erosion of the governor's support but has no practical effect. Any impeachment move would have to begin in the GOP-controlled House.

However, the Senate is where Sanford has drawn the most support from lawmakers. The defectors include five of his dozen closest allies.

Sanford chronicled his affair with an Argentine woman in interviews with The Associated Press this week.

Sanford has no plans to resign, a spokesman said today in the wake of calls from senators last night and this morning that he should leave office.

Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell issued a written statement but has not asked for the governor's resignation.

"I would beseech the Governor to do the right thing for himself, his family and our state,'' he wrote. "I believe he knows what the right thing to do is and I hope that he will do what is right."

Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Hugh Leatherman joined a group of other senators, including four from the Upstate, Tuesday evening in asking Sanford to step down.

Advertisement

This morning, Sen. Danny Verdin of Laurens said he was not calling on Sanford to resign but did think it was best for the state if he did.

Verdin said he was “stunned, sickened and disgusted” by continuing revelations from the governor.

“I feel his resignation would best serve him, his family and the citizens of South Carolina,” Verdin told GreenvilleOnline.

Sanford on Tuesday, during an interview with The Associated Press, revealed more details about his romance with his paramour from Argentina and said he had “crossed lines” with other women during his 20-year marriage but had not had sex with them.

State Attorney General Henry McMaster has asked the State Law Enforcement Division to review the governor’s travel records as a result of the latest disclosures.

A spokesman for House Speaker Bobby Harrell said the speaker believes it would be premature at this time to call for the governor’s resignation until after the SLED review is complete.

Check back with GreenvilleOnline for more details about this developing story.