Sanford apologizes for extramarital affair

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By Joseph Weber

UPDATED:

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said Wednesday his unexplained, six-day absence was spent in an extramarital affair with a woman he called a "dear, dear friend" in Buenos Aires.

"I apologize to my wife, Jenny, and my four boys," Mr. Sanford, who paused several times to wipe his eyes, said from his office in Columbia, S.C. "I've let down a lot of people."

Mr. Sanford, a Republican, called the press conference after disappearing for several days, then reappearing in the Atlanta airport after his staff said the governor was hiking the Appalachian Trail.

The governor said he met the woman eight years ago and the relationship turned into a romantic one about a year ago. Mr. Sanford said he has seen the woman three times in the past year.

Related article: Sanford's wife says she asked governor to leave home

Mr. Sanford said his wife has known about the affair for about five months and that they are seeking counseling.

"I spent five days crying in Argentina," he said.

The governor said he would resign as head of the Republican Governors Association, but did not say he would resign as governor.