MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Republican legislators fumed Saturday over Gov. Mark Sanford’s affair and questionable travel, though they stopped short of trying to force his resignation or impeachment before they return to the Statehouse in January.
Still, the House GOP Caucus, which dominates the lower chamber with 73 of the body’s 124 members, made two things clear: They want Sanford gone, and they want to act soon.
However, lawmakers are waiting to make any decisions until the state ethics commission finishes its investigation. And starting impeachment proceedings now could require a costly special session.
In all, 56 members were on hand and not one raised a word to defend Sanford, who shocked state residents by disappearing for five days in June to rendezvous with his Argentine lover.
Since then, investigations by The Associated Press and a state senator have prompted state Attorney General Henry McMaster to call for an ethics investigation. The probe has been underway for about a week.
House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, said he has been telling Sanford for weeks that legislators and the public are angry. On Saturday, he urged the GOP caucus to hold off on any action involving an impeachment resolution until the state ethics commission wrapped up its probe.
“Members of the caucus are disappointed in him, angry with him and in some ways disgusted by the whole thing, and they want to deal with it and they want to deal with it as quickly as possible,” Harrell said.
Sanford issued a statement Saturday about the caucus but didn’t directly address the disgust of lawmakers.
“It’s also important to reiterate what we said yesterday: that we’re dedicated to an open and fair ethics process, and would further urge all levels of state government to embrace that same transparency,” the statement said.
