Elections

Updated June 28, 2009

Sanford: I Debated Resigning But Decided to Tough It Out

AP

Leaving office would be the easy way out, the embattled South Carolina governor said after his extramarital affair was exposed following a weeklong disappearance.

SULLIVANS ISLAND, S.C. -- South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford says he considered resigning as his extramarital affair became public but vows to remain in office.

Sanford spoke to The Associated Press on Sunday outside his coastal home on Sullivans Island. Wearing khaki shorts and a t-shirt, he talked of his faith in God and says leaving office would be the easy way out. 

The governor admitted last week to a yearlong affair with a woman in Argentina. He and his wife say they will try to reconcile. Some lawmakers are calling for him to resign because he used public money to see the mistress during one trip, and because he was out of touch with his staff during his recent weeklong tryst. 

Sanford said he did not use public money for the recent trip.

Click here for more news on South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford.

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