By Bob Bouyea
bbouyea@scbiznews.com
Published Sept. 10, 2009

The piling on has begun, and Gov. Mark Sanford is trying to dig his way out.

On Wednesday, the House Republican Caucus leadership said in a letter that it is time for Sanford to resign “for the good of our state.” This follows a similar letter House Speaker Bobby Harrell sent to the governor.

The caucus’s letter, signed by Majority Leader Kenny Bingham, R-Cayce, (pictured) on behalf of the House Republican Caucus leadership, was hand-delivered to the governor. Sixty-one members of the 72-member caucus had signed it.

“Our unemployment is high, and the people of our state are concerned about the future. It is a shame that our state government continues to be mired in distraction,” Bingham said. “The time has come for the governor to step aside and let South Carolinians begin the process of healing our state.” 

The governor’s troubles began this summer after he returned to South Carolina from Argentina and admitted he’d been having an extramarital affair there. His troubles continued, as questions have since swirled around his 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, or by his use of state and private planes.

Also on Wednesday, Sanford came out with a letter nearly 3,000 words long that he sent via e-mail to his supporters. The e-mail reiterated his position — that he will not resign — and touted how much money he’s saved the state on travel compared to past governors.

Sanford is slated to hold a news conference at 3:30 p.m. today to “shed light on recent political developments.”

House Speaker Pro Tem Harry Cato, R-Travelers Rest, said the state is facing serious issues of job creation and economic development.

“The lack of leadership and credibility in the governor’s office right now is more than a distraction, it is standing in the way of progress,” he said. “It is time for the governor to step aside and live up to the ideal he has professed all along — to put our state, and our fellow South Carolinians, above himself.”

The letter from the caucus was drafted after last month’s Republican Caucus meeting, at which frustration with the governor was evident.

Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville, said, “The direction of the caucus leaving that meeting was unmistakable: ‘Governor, you have lost the support of legislators who have supported you through thick and thin. The time has come to step down. The best way you can help our state right now is to step aside and let us get back on our feet.’”

Bingham, the majority leader, added, “As long as the governor remains in office, his actions this summer will hang over state government. There are too many things to do for the state to be enveloped in distraction any longer.”

Republican gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley, a supporter of Sanford’s, said she would not sign her name to any letter that calls for Sanford’s resignation.