S.C. Gov. admits to affair in Argentina, resigns as chairman of GOP governors association

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford says he’s been unfaithful to his wife with friend from Argentina.

He also said he is resigning as chairman of the Republican Governors Association.

The married father of four emotionally apologized to his wife, staff and others at a news conference today. He said he met the woman a little more than eight years ago, and it became romantic about a year ago.

Sanford told a newspaper he was in Argentina, not hiking the Appalachian Trail as his staff had told the public to explain his sudden absence. He said he “wanted to do something exotic” to unwind after losing a fight over federal stimulus money.