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First Lady Jenny Sanford announced Friday she is moving with her four sons to Charleston and will no longer live in the Governor’s Mansion.
Gov. Mark Sanford later issued a statement saying he stood by the decision and that it was best for the family's reconciliation process and for the boys in the coming school year.
The Sanfords have been trying to work on their marriage since Gov. Sanford admitted a yearlong extramarital affair in June with an Argentine woman.
Jenny Sanford had this to say in her statement:
“I am so thankful for the overwhelming support and prayers we have received from people all across South Carolina. I am literally in awe of how blessed we are to have such love and support from family and friends, old and new.”
“It is with this support, and after much careful and prayerful consideration, that I have decided to move back to our home in Charleston with our sons for the upcoming school year.”
“From there, we will work to continue the process of healing our family.”
The Sanford’s four sons all attended private school in Columbia.
Gov. Sanford's office later issued the following statement:
"The First Lady's Office has already put out a statement that speaks for the family, on this decision that we felt best, both for our process of reconciliation, and for the boys in the upcoming school year.
"I stand by this family decision and accordingly ask the media to honor the zone of privacy that Jenny has asked for on behalf of the healing process and our four boys going forward."
Jenny Sanford said she would continue to be involved with the civic and charitable work she has been involved in during her time as first lady.
“While we will be leaving Columbia, we will return often, and I will remain engaged in activities in my role as First Lady, acknowledging that my responsibilities to my family come first,” she said.
Gov. Sanford has refused to resign as governor after the scandal, pledging he could both run the state and work on his family issues. Some state leaders had called for Sanford to step down so he could attend to his family full time.
Jenny Sanford was a key ally in helping to assure state leaders she and the governor would be able to mend their family while Gov. Sanford remained in office.
-- From staff reports
Here is the full text of Mrs. Sanford's e-mail:
From: Meg Milne Sent: Friday, August 07, 2009 11:13 AM To: mmilne@gov.sc.gov Subject: E-Release-Statement from First Lady Jenny Sanford (8.07.09)
GOVERNOR'S MANSION 800 RICHLAND STREET COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA 29201
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Meg Milne
Statement from First lady Jenny Sanford
Columbia, S.C. - August 7, 2009- I am so thankful for the overwhelming support and prayers we have received from people all across South Carolina. I am literally in awe of how blessed we are to have such love and support from family and friends, old and new. It is with this support, and after much careful and prayerful consideration, that I have decided to move back to our home in Charleston with our sons for the upcoming school year. From there, we will work to continue the process of healing our family. While we will be leaving Columbia, we will return often, and I will remain engaged in activities in my role as First Lady, acknowledging that my responsibilities to my family come first. Once again, when it comes to personal family matters like this, I respectfully ask that members of the media allow us to go on with our lives in peace.
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Meg Milne Assistant to the First Lady SC Governor's Mansion 800 Richland Street Columbia, SC 29201
Here is the full text of Gov. Sanford's e-mail:
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR MARK SANFORD, GOVERNOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ben Fox
Gov. Sanford today issued the following statement:
"The First Lady's Office has already put out a statement that speaks for the family, on this decision that we felt best, both for our process of reconciliation, and for the boys in the upcoming school year.
"I stand by this family decision and accordingly ask the media to honor the zone of privacy that Jenny has asked for on behalf of the healing process and our four boys going forward."
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-- Benjamin D. Fox Communications Director Office of Gov. Mark Sanford
