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Sanford resolves to stay put despite love affair

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-06-29 19:59

Some lawmakers want his resignation because he secretly visited his mistress during a state-funded 2008 trip, and because he was out of touch with his staff during his recent weeklong visit to Argentina to see her.

His staff had told the public he was hiking the Appalachian Trail before the real story of his mysterious absence became known.

In this February 22, 2009 file photo, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford arrives with his wife Jenny at a White House dinner held by US President Barack Obama for the National Governors Association in Washington. [Agencies]

Sanford has agreed to reimburse the state for some of the more than $8,000 in taxpayer money spent on the Argentina leg of the economic development trip to South America last year. On Sunday, he repeatedly said he never used public money to see the woman.

Related readings:  South Carolina governor apologizes to cabinet  Politicians call for disgraced governor to resign  Governor sex scandal blow to Republicans  S. Carolina Governor admits affair

The governor's efforts to stay in office appear, in the minds of some lawmakers, to hinge in part on his ability to salvage his marriage. While several critics want a criminal probe and others want him to step down, reconciling with the first lady does have sway among legislators.

"That's almost become a proxy for how some are looking at this. They're looking at Jenny," said state Sen. Tom Davis, a Beaufort Republican and former Sanford chief of staff.

When it comes to his critics -- most notably Republican state Sen. Jake Knotts -- and their calls for him to step down, Sanford said he understands where they are coming from.

"I don't begrudge the Jakie Knottses of the world," Sanford said. "He's going to do what he's going to do. I got to do my part."

As far as his marriage, Sanford said he and his wife are working on it.

"If there wasn't healing going on, I wouldn't be here," he said, pointing to his beach house.

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