Story Published:
Jun 25, 2009 at 12:36 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Jun 25, 2009 at 12:55 PM EDT
What's next for South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford? Wednesday, Sanford admitted to an affair, after going missing for nearly a week.
NBC Augusta 26 News was the only Augusta station with a
TV reporter in Columbia today as the Governor made his admission.
"Bottom line is this. I've been unfaithful to my wife," said Sanford.
He told the crowded room he's known the woman for nearly a decade, but it just became romantic in the last year
The State Newspaper in Columbia is reporting her name is Maria.
The State says emails from Sanford to Maria cite a "hopelessly impossible situation of love," and go into "sexual details."
In a statement, Sanford's wife says she asked her husband to leave two weeks ago.
However, she says the Governor "has earned a chance to resurrect (their) marriage."
"I hurt her, hurt my wife, boys," Sanford said. "Hurt a lot of different folks."
Sanford faced questions about conflicting and inaccurate information coming from his staff.
Monday, his staff said they didn't know where he was after four days missing. Then, they said he was hiking on the Appalachian trail.
Sanford says the deception is his fault.
"I let them down by creating a fiction with regard to where I was going," he said.
For now, there are still as many questions as answers.
When a reporter asked Sanford if he plans to remain governor, he did not respond.
Read Sanford's emails in "The State"
Statement from First Lady Jenny Sanford
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