Staff Report
Published Sept. 8, 2009

In a letter delivered to Gov. Mark Sanford today, House Speaker Bobby Harrell called on Sanford to act in the best interests of the state and resign. 

“It was with much thought and trepidation that I came to this conclusion. I did so only after I spoke with colleagues in the Legislature, talked with leaders in our communities, heard from numerous citizens from across the state and carefully reviewed the facts surrounding the situation,” Harrell said.

“What has become clear is that Gov. Sanford’s issues will continue to dominate our state as long as he remains in office.”

Sanford troubles began this summer after he returned to South Carolina from Argentina, where he admitted having an affair. His troubles didn’t stop there as questions have swirled around the governor’s use of state resources and personnel. The state’s Ethics Commission is investigating whether he broke state law by flying business class instead of coach and of his use of state and private planes.

However, Harrell added that whether Sanford should be removed from office is a question that the Ethics Commission’s investigation will have to answer.

“Our state’s future is too important to have the governor’s issues overshadow everything we do for the next 15 months. For the good of our state, Gov. Sanford should step aside,” Harrell said.

“The issues we have facing our state and the work that needs to be accomplished is too important for us to spend this next year bogged down with the distractions Gov. Sanford’s actions have created.”

This morning, when BMW invited state and local dignitaries to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the German automaker’s start-up in the Upstate, Sanford was conspicuous in his absence. No one wanted to comment on why he was not there, but it was clear that many would have considered his presence a distraction or even an embarrassment.

Sanford’s absence stands in stark contrast with the role of former governors, particularly the late Carroll Campbell, who moved mountains to get the automaker to locate in South Carolina. Business and Chamber of Commerce leaders fear the state’s current business recruitment is suffering greatly because the state has a disgraced governor at the helm.

“South Carolina needs strong and effective leadership to address the pressing issues facing our state. The continued distractions brought on by Gov. Sanford’s self-inflicted wounds have proven that he is not in a position to lead us in that direction,” Harrell said. “If Gov. Sanford remains in office, too much time will be spent overcoming these obstacles instead of dealing with the important issues facing us, such as addressing job creation, education and health care.”