JENNY SANFORD STATEMENT: Wife Says She Told Him To Leave "To Maintain My Dignity"

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford's wife, Jenny, issued a statement in which she says that she told him to leave their home two weeks ago "to maintain my dignity, self-respect and my basic sense of right and wrong."

Read the statement:

I would like to start by saying I love my husband and I believe I have put forth every effort possible to be the best wife I can be during our almost twenty years of marriage. As well, for the last fifteen years my husband has been fully engaged in public service to the citizens and taxpayers of this state and I have faithfully supported him in those efforts to the best of my ability. I have been and remain proud of his accomplishments and his service to this state.

I personally believe that the greatest legacy I will leave behind in this world is not the job I held on Wall Street, or the campaigns I managed for Mark, or the work I have done as First Lady or even the philanthropic activities in which I have been routinely engaged. Instead, the greatest legacy I will leave in this world is the character of the children I, or we, leave behind. It is for that reason that I deeply regret the recent actions of my husband Mark, and their potential damage to our children.

I believe wholeheartedly in the sanctity, dignity and importance of the institution of marriage. I believe that has been consistently reflected in my actions. When I found out about my husband's infidelity I worked immediately to first seek reconciliation through forgiveness, and then to work diligently to repair our marriage. We reached a point where I felt it was important to look my sons in the eyes and maintain my dignity, self-respect, and my basic sense of right and wrong. I therefore asked my husband to leave two weeks ago.

This trial separation was agreed to with the goal of ultimately strengthening our marriage. During this short separation it was agreed that Mark would not contact us. I kept this separation quiet out of respect of his public office and reputation, and in hopes of keeping our children from just this type of public exposure. Because of this separation, I did not know where he was in the past week.

I believe enduring love is primarily a commitment and an act of will, and for a marriage to be successful, that commitment must be reciprocal. I believe Mark has earned a chance to resurrect our marriage.

Psalm 127 states that sons are a gift from the Lord and children a reward from Him. I will continue to pour my energy into raising our sons to be honorable young men. I remain willing to forgive Mark completely for his indiscretions and to welcome him back, in time, if he continues to work toward reconciliation with a true spirit of humility and repentance.

This is a very painful time for us and I would humbly request now that members of the media respect the privacy of my boys and me as we struggle together to continue on with our lives and as I seek the wisdom of Solomon, the strength and patience of Job and the grace of God in helping to heal my family.

Comments

[LoudmouthLime]

Faux, Faux, Faux. Merry Hubris.

[betterwaymoms]

I have to say, Jenny is one classy lady. I don't think I could keep it together the way she has, and while we can tell she's incredibly angry, she displays it with such dignity and pride. I don't know what I would do in her situation, I can't even imagine having to go through all this in the spotlight...I'm pretty impressed.

But either way, as a wife and a mother, I have to say, I respect her decision either way. It's tough, and an I wouldn't want to have to make the choice. I really tip my hat to her. One of our moms, who's husband did just this, wrote an article about it...it's some tough stuff:

http://www.betterwaymoms.com/articles/the-end-of-the-affair

[iintermar1]

I hope and pray for the wife and the children. It is unfortunate that the marriage institution has been abused by many people. A high official in the public's eye. Leadership in this country is going down the toilet. If a married person cannot be faithful to a spouse how can they hold office? How can a person be held in high esteem when he or she cannot have self-control? He has a wife. He has children. He wanted to settle for another woman when his blessings came through the institution of marriage. Again I hope and pray for the wife and children because I know what it is like to have a cheating spouse.
It is outright rejection. That person that cheats is saying the other spouse isn't good enough. Yet in this country marriage is abused. The abortion issue is more important than the sanctity of marriage. An institutio­n(marriage­) created by GOD. Leaders have followers. How can this man expect someone to trust him? My hat is off to the wife. She has integrity. I encourage the wife to stay with the Lord on this. Yes, forgive by all means. He has to win her Trust back again.

[alwqb]

You had me until you started quoting the bible Mrs. Sanford. This is what is wrong with the GOP. They can quote scripture all they want but God didn't stop Mr. Sanford from cheating and you won't get through this relying on the Holy Bible. Scripture didn't serve your marriage then and it won't serve you now. Seeking the wisdom of Solomon is what your base wants to hear, I know. But what someone wrote years after Solomon died are not Solomon's actual words and an educated woman as yourself should know. If turning to fables helps then so be it, but if you really want to get through this with your kids in tact, you need a real life confidant, professional handler, family and friends, but best of all, a killer lawyer.

[gx5000]

If you have to quote the Bible then all is lost.....
The guy's been a double crossing (politician ?) on the public AND his wife..
Big whoop and surprise....what's the percentage of Politicians that Haven't cheated ?
Betchya it's NIL !

[LeftLeanWing]

If this was a Tyler Perry movie he would have ended up paralyzed and the Argentinian Vixen would receive a good Gospel Song smack down

[Billpoch]

When Sanford refused the the stimulas package it proved that the little head was doing the thinking for the big head. The same for his not so private life.

[Adartist777]

What a soap opera! These people need a life, but not on the public dole. What a pair of elitists.

There are people in SC without work, losing their homes and here we have a governor jetting to Argentina on the backs of the taxpayers to have an adulterous romantic fling, while abandoning his responsibilities as governor of SC and as a father.

Don't feel sorry for Mark and Jenny. They live in a governor's mansion, own a plantation and an expensive beach house. They travel around the world at the state's expense. And then we have this.

Both of them deserve what's coming to them. No verse from the Bible is going to deny that and I'm appalled that religion would be brought into this situation in the first place.

I do feel sorry for the boys, but their parents put them through this by their irresponsible actions. Let's face it, Mark could have sent Maria an e-mail instead of returning to Argentina to say "goodbye". He should reimburse the state for that trip immediately.

[Wilbur]

Geez, her statement is almost as nauseating as was Markie's news conference. In a way, I can see why he strayed. She looks and sounds like a shrew.

Wilbur

[apduncan1]

I disagree. Notice she puts the character of her children as her legacy ... not her professional career. The man didn't care for what he had at home. A fool.

[JJR60616]

Let's not judge her motives and all that here...

So she makes a couple references to Bible passages? And she's willing to work towards reconciliation? I think many of us could learn a few things from that book. And as far as I'm concerned, it's perfectly consistent with her apparent values and mores.

She sounds like a good and classy woman who pretty much was the backbone of this relationship. I'm sorry she has to see her relationships played out in the media and the kids have to endure all this too.

I don't know what this idiot was thinking especially when he had in mind a run for the Presidency.

[emily00011]

a two week separation, and he uses the chance to go down to Argentina. It's clear where is heart is, and he should follow rather than live a lie.

[douc66]

Sanford has just stepped into a pile left by a T-Rex.

It will be very hard for him to reconcile the fact that, not only did he cheat on his wife (while preaching the "family values" line at the same time), but to go see your girlfriend IN ARGENTINA ON THE TAXPAYERS DIME. Remember, this is the guy who refused federal funds that would had helped the people of SC.

If he goes down, it will be for the latter, not the former. Cheat on your wife? People will eventually forgive that. Seeing your girlfriend (in another country) possibly on tax payer money? Naw, buddy, that's a no-go. And an impeachable offense.

[KarateKid]

Holier than thou Bible thumpers make me laugh. That goes for poor Mrs. Sanford and those of you in this blog.

[pleasethinkwomen]

Frankly, I could care less where Governor Sanford puts his pistol. The issue here is that a public servant, in charge of the State of South Carolina, completely disappeared without setting up a back-up plan for protection of the people of South Carolina. In any other case where a person does not show up for their job or cover their responsibilities for FIVE DAYS, s/he is out on their a**. THIS is the issue regarding Governor Sanford and it's unacceptable. The folks in SC should give this guy the boot - just like his wife did.

[PhilipB]

"I remain willing to forgive Mark completely for his indiscretions and to welcome him back, in time, if he continues to work toward reconciliation with a true spirit of humility and repentance."
Infidelity. That is a hurtful thing. I have to admit I place him greatly in the wrong, but this statement is rife with trouble.
I am not sure that setting oneself up as the morally superior one, and the unfaithful one must be eternally repentant really works. Sounds like she is hurt and angry, and I do not blame her. This attitude sounds like she wants to hurt back and that is a natural response, but if you are going to make a public statement more considered words could be used.
A healthy relationship starts with honesty about how one feels. This set-up that she has outlined where he can come back, at arms length only if he is under her thumb sound troubling to me. I am not sure if this is healthy for either party.
Sounds like counseling is in order, individually and as a couple. Family counseling would be a good idea, as children being set up as a saint as a contrast to their sinful father sounds unhealthy to me.
Since their were so many Biblical references in this statement, I can only say God help us from people such as these who would work to deny LGBT basic rights as citizens whom they deem unfit and unworthy.

[pittmom]

She is morally superior. Even with true forgiveness he will be "under her thumb"- once a person makes the leap from thinking about straying to actually following through on those thoughts they lose the right to be free from any doubt.

It's great that she has such strong beliefs. If that works within her life that's fine. I just have a major problem with those who feel that everyone else needs to buy into their value system. Our country (and world) would be so much better off if religious people quit trying to bend the rest of us to their will.

[PhilipB]

Hi Pitttmom!

"once a person makes the leap from thinking about straying to actually following through on those thoughts they lose the right to be free from any doubt. "
I honestly do not know what you mean, but that is not to say that I disagree with you at all! I simply do not understand what you are saying. Thanks!!!! Please elucidate!
:)
"Our country (and world) would be so much better off if religious people quit trying to bend the rest of us to their will."

Well, I certainly can relate to that!

Warm regards,
Philip