Love Guv

Sanford's Party Weighs His Future

Annual beach retreat to include impeachment debate.

Mark Sanford, be warned. South Carolina's Republican state representatives are planning to discuss the embattled governor’s future at their annual retreat this weekend in Myrtle Beach. Besides admitting in June to an extramarital affair with an Argentinian woman, Sanford has faced criticism recently over whether his use of state aircraft for personal trips violated state law. Under South Carolina law, the governor could be impeached by the state's House of Representatives for “serious crimes or serious misconduct in office.” Some lawmakers say it’s time for Sanford to go: “He left the state without anyone knowing where he was,” State Rep. Greg Delleney told The State, adding that the governor’s trip to secretly meet his lover in Argentina is “serious misconduct” and “a dereliction of duty.” Leaders in the state Senate, which would ultimately be responsible for trying and convicting Sanford if the state House follows through with impeachment, have already called for the governor’s resignation.