Staff Report
Published July 7, 2009

Nearly two weeks after Gov. Mark Sanford confessed to a year-long affair with a woman from Argentina, the S.C. Republican Party met Monday to discuss the scandal and what action to take against the governor, if any. The result was the decision to censure Sanford.

A statement released by the state Republican Party suggests that its decision to censure the two-term governor should bring to a close the firestorm that has surrounded Sanford since his June 24 confession, including calls from multiple Republican legislators for him to step down.

“The events of the past two weeks have been as divisive as they have been disappointing for Republicans,” said S.C. Republican Party Chairman Karen Floyd in a written statement. “But today has brought a large measure of resolution to a sad chapter in our state Party’s history. Republicans came together to speak with a unified voice, and now is the time for healing.”

“Now is the time for healing for the Sanford family. We must pray for them — Mark, Jenny and their four beautiful boys. Now is the time for healing for the Republican Party. We must hold true to our core beliefs and recommit to being Republican now more than ever before. And now is the time for healing for our great state,” Floyd said.

The censure resolution passed by the state executive committee reads:

“Whereas, the South Carolina Republican Party adopts this Resolution of Censure as a unified expression of the Party’s opinion in the recent matter relating to Governor Marshall Clement Sanford, Jr.; and

“Whereas, the South Carolina Republican Party adheres to a set of core principles and beliefs, primarily but not exclusively expressed in our Platform; and

“Whereas, the revelations regarding Governor Sanford’s private and public conduct demonstrate repeated failures to act in accordance with these core principles and beliefs; and

“Whereas, Governor Sanford’s conduct, in addition to falling below the standards expected of Republican elected officials, has breached the public’s trust and confidence in his ability to effectively perform the duties of his office; and

“Whereas, a formal admonishment by the South Carolina Republican Party is appropriate and necessary and, barring further revelations, will be the Party’s last word on the matter;

“Therefore, be it resolved, that the South Carolina Republican Party does, with great regret, censure Governor Mark Sanford for his recent conduct.”

Related coverage:
Sanford’s fate could rest with constitutional officers
Focus turns to Bauer as calls for Sanford’s resignation grow
Friends convinced Sanford to stay in office
Gov. Sanford admits seeing lover on state-funded trip to Argentina
Gov. Sanford admits affair, resigns chairmanship of governors association