FOR RELEASE ON JULY 3, 2009
Media Contact
Sherri Zedd
District Director – Senator Tom Davis
843-252-8583
sherri@senatortomdavis.com
Statement by Tom Davis re: Governor Mark Sanford
Over the past two weeks, South Carolinians have been disappointed, angry and embarrassed by the actions of Gov. Mark Sanford. I share these emotions. We cannot control the unfortunate circumstances that got us to this place, but we can and must control how we now move past them.
I have been Gov. Sanford’s friend for 30 years and the First Lady’s friend during their 20 years of marriage. God willing, we will remain friends for the next 30 years. I have not hidden my concern for Gov. Sanford and the First Lady or my support for them as they try to move forward together.
This is why as a friend, I asked Gov. Sanford on several occasions to consider resigning for the sake of his marriage and his family.
Gov. Sanford told me that discharging the duties of his office would not prevent him from working on that reconciliation, and the First Lady told me the same thing. I am not going to second-guess them in that personal matter.
As a state senator with responsibilities to my constituents, I met yesterday with SLED Chief Reggie Lloyd and Attorney General Henry McMaster to determine whether Gov. Sanford had violated any statutory or constitutional obligations. Both have assured me that Gov. Sanford did not break any laws and that he did not spend public dollars in this process.
Accordingly, unless any new facts are disclosed, I think it is time for me and other public officials to get back to work on the serious challenges facing our state.
That said, and as Gov. Sanford knows, he has no margin for further error in this particular matter. South Carolina simply cannot afford any additional embarrassment.
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Tags: senator tom davis, tom davis
Dear Senator Davis,
Then what was the $3000 personal check Governor Sanford wrote as reimbursement for?
This is getting ridiculous. The Governor left his post for a week, without notice, even to his own staff.
Now we are expected to believe the “investigation” carried on by his underlings?
His conduct is not up to the standards we should have for our governor. He needs to go.
After reading your post above, senator, I wonder if you are acting partially, given your relationship with the governor and his family. Personally I don’t care how or if this family resolves their issues. What I care about are the underhanded, erratic, and downright irresponsible actions of Governor Sanford.
If you are unable to see this most simple of points, I wonder if I can count on you for other issues, or other offices, senator Davis.
Sincerely,
Steven Morello
Senator,
I appreciate your candor through all this. I personally think Sanford should stay in office as long as no laws have been broken. And after yesterday’s announcement by SLED it’s clear, while he has huge moral issues with his wife and the affair, that he hasn’t broken the law.
It is my hope he’ll have the ability to govern and heal personally, time will tell.
Thanks for all that you do sir!
Senator:
I admire your forthright statement regarding Govenor Sanford, but must respectfully disagree with your conclusion, unstated but interpreted as, support for the Governor remaining in office. When someone, anyone exhibits poor judgement with regard to their sworn duties and obligations, such as deceiving staff and being absent from the responsibility of office by not being available, then the trust and confidence has been broken and beyond repair, regardless of the public mea culpas.
In the interest of the state of South Carolina, which should be the Governor’s primary responsibility, he should step down. Should he not do so of his own volition I believe it incumbent on the legislative body, which has the real power in this state, to demand he leave office.
Jules Parrella
Thank you for keeping us informed and being transparent about this issue. I am sure this is a difficult time for you given that you are close to both the Governor and Mrs.Sanford. It seems obvious that you have sincerely attempted to balance your responsibilities to them and to the people of your district and South Carolina with your comments and your actions.
Thank you,
Roy Carpenter
Although I am disappointed in Governor Sanford’s behavior, and did not agree with his stance on refusing Stimulus monies, I believe he has the best interest of SC at heart. I stand behind him, particularly at the advise of Tom Davis, who I highly respect.
Tom has e-mailed me daily regarding this issue and I find that to be above and beyond the average politian. I trust Tom and his opinions. As a Realtor, it’s important to me to inform my clients of “the real deal”. I think Tom’s immediate involvement with SLED proves that he’s not biased or having a blind eye.
Let’s be optomistic about SC’s future and support our infrastructure. Buy local, and if not, buy SC.
Embrasing each other will have us endure much more than what I see the US doing to divide us. Don’t just fly the flag tomorrow, but fly it all summer long.
Proud to be an American.
“Nancy D” Correll
Hilton Head, SC 29926
South Carolinian’s, let’s rally behind those who represent us and continue to relay our opinions to guide our elected officials. While what’s happening at the White House level frightens me, we still have a voice that counts here in SC.
Excercise your power as a voter and influential constituent. We are very fortunate to live in this great State of South Carolina.
I no longer have any faith in Governor Sanford’s ability to lead South Carolina. I continue to believe strongly that he should no longer be the Governor of this State. He should step aside as soon as possible and tend to his personal and family issues.
This is outrageous. How much evidence do you need to demonstrate that Governor Sanford’s judgment is severely impaired and that he is in the midst of an emotional breakdown? Was abandoning his post and going AWOL for a week in reckless pursuit of his soulmate not evidence enough? How about his 4 hour rambling interview with the AP? What about the nonlogical notion that he his affair was more moral than the average Joe’s (or BIll Clinton) affair given that it was not about sex but true love? He can’t even see clearly enough to anticipate the irreparable harm that his soulmate words would cause or the devastation they would reap on his own family . Do you really believe that he can see clearly enough to govern? The integrity of the office is at stake. He needs to go.