The State has a story today that Governor Mark Sanford has not been heard from since Thursday.
The whereabouts of Gov. Mark Sanford have been unknown to state officials since Thursday, and some state leaders are questioning who is in charge of the executive office.
Neither the governor’s office nor the State Law Enforcement Division, which provides security for governors, has been able to reach Sanford after he left the mansion in a black SLED Suburban SUV, said Sen. Jake Knotts and three others familiar with the situation but who declined to be identified.
Governor Sanford's wife, Jenny Sanford, said she was not concerned.
She said the governor said he needed time away from their children to write something.
The governor’s office issued a statement Monday afternoon: "Gov. Sanford is taking some time away from the office this week to recharge after the stimulus battle and the legislative session, and to work on a couple of projects that have fallen by the wayside.
Lt. Governor Andre Bauer said he has not been put in charge and he doesn't know where Sanford is.
Senator Knotts, a frequent critic of Governor Sanford is not happy.
"Chief Lloyd confirmed that my information is legitimate," Knotts said in a statement released early in the afternoon. "He shared my concerns" about succession of power in Sanford’s absence, the Lexington Republican said.
"I was recently made aware that Governor Sanford has frequently been eluding SLED agents and disappearing at odd times," Knotts said.
"As the head of our state, in the unfortunate event of a state of emergency or homeland security situation, Governor Sanford should be available at all times to the chief of SLED," the senator said.
"If for any reason, including the unknown whereabouts of the governor, he is unable to perform the duties of his office, the constitution provides that the lieutenant governor assumes the position of governor.
Sanford is frequently mentioned as part of the GOPs future--a potential candidate for President in 2012. Turns out he really is as crazy as I suspected.
These guys CANNOT get it right.