COLUMBIA, S.C. (WLTX) -- A spokesman for Governor Mark Sanford says the chief executive has called in to the office, and plans to return to South Carolina on Wednesday. Spokesman Joel Sawyer says Sanford called in Tuesday morning. His office said Monday that Sanford was on a hiking trip along the Appalachian Trail. Sawyer issued the following statement Tuesday morning: "Governor Sanford called to check in with his Chief of Staff this morning[Tuesday]. It would be fair to say the governor was somewhat taken aback by all of the interest this trip has gotten. Given the circumstances and the attention this has garnered, the governor communicated to us that he plans on returning to the office tomorrow.[Wednesday]" Sawyer released this statement Monday evening explaining Sanford's absence: "The Governor is hiking along the Appalachian Trail. I apologize for taking so long to send this update, and was waiting to see if a more definitive idea of what part of the Trail he was on before we did so. "I want to emphasize that this isn't something that either staff or Mrs. Sanford is concerned about. As we said earlier today, it isn't unusual for the Governor to be out of pocket for several days after the legislative session. We knew he would be difficult to reach, and that he would be checking in infrequently. Given the media attention this has generated, we'll obviously update you once we have some more specifics to pass along." The story of Sanford's whereabouts became national news Monday afternoon after it became known that he had not been seen since last Thursday. Adding fuel to the fire-- Sanford's wife said she did not know where her husband was. First lady Jenny Sanford told The Associated Press her husband has been gone for several days. Jenny Sanford said the governor said he needed time away from their children to write something. She says, "He was writing something and wanted some space to get away from the kids." She and the couple's four sons are vacationing at the beach, and she says she's not worried about her husband. State Senator Jake Knotts of Lexington said he's been told that law enforcement couldn't even get in touch with Sanford. "The poeple of South Carolina elected a Governor to be 24/7, and to just go off and say that he doesn't want to be bothered...We as elected officials can't just go off and not be bothered," Knotts told News19 Monday. South Carolina's Constitution makes no specific provision that the governor must alert leaders of his whereabouts at all times.
6/23/2009 3:25:59 PM
