Scandal-plagued South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford refused to step down from office yesterday despite a call from Lieut. Gov. Andre Bauer for his resignation.
Bauer, a Republican, said he will not run for governor in 2010 if Sanford resigns. The state’s term limits prevent Sanford from running for office again and his term will expire in 16 months.
Several state lawmakers were concerned that if Sanford resigned, Bauer would have an unfair advantage in the 2010 election while serving the remainder of Sanford’s term. Bauer’s pledge not to run if Sanford resigns due to the national fallout from a scandal involving an extramarital affair could quell those concerns.
