South Carolina governor resigns RGA chairmanship

Following a confession that he was having an affair with a woman in Argentina, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has resigned as chairman of the Washington-based Republican Governors Association (RGA). Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour will assume the chairmanship.

Sanford told reporters about the affair Wednesday after disappearing for several days last week. The governor’s staffers originally said that Sanford was hiking the Appalachian Trail, but, in a press conference, Sanford tearfully admitted that he had gone to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to see the woman. “I’ve been unfaithful to my wife,” Sanford said at the press conference. “I developed a relationship with what started as a dear, dear friend in Argentina.”

Sanford also announced his resignation from RGA at the press conference. “The news revealed today hurts all of us who have gotten to know Governor Sanford over the years, and so it is with regret that the RGA accepted Gov. Sanford’s resignation as chairman,” Barbour said in a statement.

In another statement, RGA Executive Director Nick Ayers said that, along with the “joys of getting to know great leaders around the country” that comes with his job, he also faces “deep disappointment when they fall short.” “Today is undeniably a disappointing day,” Ayers said. “While I am personally disappointed in today’s revelation, I also know that it’s important for both Governor Sanford and the RGA to move forward as quickly as possible. Therefore, we accepted his resignation this afternoon.”

View Barbour and Ayers’ complete statements on RGA’s Web site. Sanford’s Web site (www.scgovernor.com) could not be accessed Wednesday or Thursday.