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Published: Thursday, Jun. 25, 2009 / Updated: Thursday, Jun. 25, 2009 11:04 AM

Shock, anger, disgust emerge in York County

Lawmakers and political types from across York County reacted with shock and disappointment Wednesday to Gov. Mark Sanford's admission that he's had an affair. None were ready to stake out positions on what the governor should do next.

State Sen. Mick Mulvaney issued the strongest condemnation, saying Sanford's actions are “inexcusable” and warrant investigation. Mulvaney, a Republican from Indian Land, said he wants to know more about Sanford's use of a government SUV, and whether and how staff members were misled as to his whereabouts.

Mulvaney has been a close ally of the governor, particularly on tax and education policies. Last year, Sanford traveled to Fort Mill to speak at Mulvaney's campaign kickoff event.

“Someone called me and said, ‘Are you going to defend the governor?'” Mulvaney said Wednesday night. “I'm thinking to myself, ‘How can I defend the indefensible?' This is absolutely, positively wrong and I can't believe he would do it. In fact, at several levels it's disgusting.”

Norman friends with Sanford

York County is home to several longtime Sanford supporters. Heading the list is former state Rep. Ralph Norman, a fellow real estate developer who became friends with the governor during his two years in the Legislature.

Norman said he spent a weekend earlier this month at Sanford's sprawling coastal estate on Coosaw Island near Beaufort. The governor hosted about 200 friends from around the country.

Norman recalled chatting for a few minutes with Jenny Sanford, who stopped by the main house to drop off one of her sons. The first lady seemed in good spirits as she described plans to remodel the house, Norman recalled.

“Shocked” is the word Norman used to describe how he felt Wednesday.

“I've been around him a lot,” said Norman. “He's the last one I would've thought would get himself in this kind of situation. He's got a Christian household, a Christian family. He's been a stalwart.”

Two years ago, Sanford spent the night at Norman's home when he visited Rock Hill during his re-election campaign. The governor went out for a jog without his security detail —and had to get a ride back to Norman's house after he got lost.

Now, Sanford's political future — including the prospect of a presidential run in 2012 — has probably dimmed, Norman said.

“His priorities have got to be his family now,” said Norman. “Politics is pretty well done, I would suspect.”

Wait-and-see approach?

State Rep. Dennis Moss left the Democratic Party last month to become a Republican, saying the GOP's values were a better fit for his own. On Wednesday, Moss stopped short of calling on Sanford to resign, but urged the governor to “get his affairs in order.”

“He has lost the confidence of the people of South Carolina,” said Moss, a retired state trooper who represents western York County. “I don't think he can be an effective leader right now. I'd just like to leave it at that, from what I know right now.”

Other Republican legislators took differing views on Sanford's future.

“I don't see why he can't serve, as long as he has his family's support,” said Rep. Gary Simrill, R-Rock Hill, one of Sanford's close allies in the Legislature.

Simrill added, “He made his bed, he's got to work through it. Hopefully, he and his wife and family can reconcile and he can move forward.”

State Sen. Wes Hayes watched some of Wednesday's news conference on a computer. But Hayes, R-Rock Hill, said he hasn't closely followed the media coverage that led up to the announcement.

“I don't want to shoot from the hip as far as what should or shouldn't happen until I know better what the issues are,” Hayes said. “It wouldn't be right to start making broad statements. All that does is confuse the issue.”

Local Democrats also offered muted responses. Rep. John King had no comment when asked what the governor's next move should be. “My statement for today is that I'm praying for the Sanford family,” said King, D-Rock Hill.

The admission should dispel any notion that S.C. Republicans have higher moral standing than other political parties here or elsewhere, said York County Democratic Party Chairman Jim Watkins.

“This is a reminder to all of us that no political party has a corner on family values,” Watkins said.

County GOP Chairman Glenn McCall, elected last year to the 100-member Republican National Committee, credited Sanford for owning up to his mistakes.

“We support the governor — we're here for him,” McCall said. “He was a man standing there pouring out his heart. It's going to take a little time to work through those issues.”

Hard to overcome

Fallout from the affair will likely overshadow Sanford's remaining time in office, said state Sen. Greg Gregory, R-Lancaster. But it'll be hard to tell any difference in the Legislature, Gregory said, given the strains that have already taken root.

“Most any political observer would tell you he's struggled to be effective to begin with,” Gregory said. “I don't really see how it could be diminished much more than it already is.”

Though he doesn't have an opinion on whether Sanford should resign, Gregory acknowledged that it will “be difficult for him to lead the party.”

“This is going to supersede any issue he's pushing for,” Gregory said. “Sanford is not as skilled a politican as Bill Clinton. It's going to be hard for somebody with his reputation to overcome.”