By James T. Hammond
jhammond@scbiznews.com
Published June 24, 2009

Gov. Mark Sanford admitted to a legion of reporters in the Statehouse lobby today that he has been unfaithful to his wife and four sons in a relationship with a woman from Argentina.

He said he will immediately resign his position as chairman of the National Republican Governors' Conference, but he did not answer the question as to whether he would resign as South Carolina's governor.

The two-term Republican governor said he met the woman, whom he did not name, about eight years ago, and they exchanged e-mail addresses and became friends. He said the relationship turned into "something else" about a year ago, and he has seen her three times in the past five months. He had just returned from a trip to Argentina, after telling his staff he might go hiking on the Appalachian Trail.

Sanford, who fought back tears during the press conference, apologized to his family, friends and the voters of South Carolina, saying he had let them down.

He did not mention the often-discussed topic of his political future or a possible presidential race. He did say he would need time over the coming months as he seeks reconciliation with his family.