June 25, 2009
Posted: June 25th, 2009 04:08 PM ET

From
Jenny Sanford, here with her husband, was a Wall Street executive before she married Mark Sanford.
Jenny Sanford, here with her husband, was a Wall Street executive before she married Mark Sanford.

(CNN) – Sharp-witted. Direct. In control. Loyal.

That's how friends describe Jenny Sanford, the wife of Gov. Mark Sanford, who confessed to the nation in a rambling news conference that he was having an affair with a woman in Argentina.

Jenny Sanford, unlike so many wives of cheating politicians, was not there facing the cameras, standing beside her husband.

A reporter asked the governor if he and his wife of 20 years were separated.

"I'm here, and she's there," he replied.

As romantic e-mails between her husband and his mistress were published by a local newspaper Thursday, the state's first lady, a former Wall Street executive, stayed far away from reporters. She was at the family's home on Sullivan Island in South Carolina with her four sons and a few friends.

"Don't you know that is what Jenny Sanford is about? That is what is authentic about Jenny Sanford. She is not going to humiliate herself by standing next to a story," said Cyndi Mosteller, a friend of the Sanfords since 1992 and the former first vice chairwoman of the South Carolina GOP.

Full story

Filed under: Mark Sanford


P   June 25th, 2009 5:33 pm ET

Although I am a Democrat from the State of South Carolina I am glad to see this First Lady make such a strong statement. I just hope that she will remain strong for "her boys". " Dumbo" needs to pay all of his money back, resign his position, give his wife a nice divorce and leave this country by way of Argentina. His mistress will soon find that he is a sick puppy and try to ship him back to South Carolina but by then we will have up barriers that won't let him back into our state. He is a selfish man that does not have feelings for anyone but himself. That was made evident when he held the standoff and thousands of us Educators are now hanging in the balance hoping and praying that we will have jobs somehow when the school year starts. Dumbo, Dumbo go away, never ever come here to stay! The People of South Carolina.

Annie *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*   June 25th, 2009 5:33 pm ET

I'm guessing she came out with this statement so that she didn't look like she was just going to throw this guy under the bus.... but ultimately she's going to kick him to the curb & make him pay for his ignorance, stupidity, and infidelity. And I really don't begrudge her that. But I did find her blowing her horn about her own legacy & accomplishments to be a bit self serving & narcissistic..

Annie   June 25th, 2009 5:33 pm ET

I guess I'm confused as to why this turned into a resume rant....

If she knew about this affair... And I'm sure she did (but please I'm only speculating) why is she still his "wife"?

It's simple... you cheat on me, you're gone... it goes for gals and guys... You can forgive all you want, but there is a line.. and it's called sincerity... Just because he can cry on command isn't really sincere- it's pretty pathetic...

He flew off the Argentina to have "gentle kisses" placed on him (it's too creepy) and adore "maria's" tan lines... trust me he has no intention or emotion of being remorseful

If Jenny had any self respect- this creep would have been out the door for good the same day he decided to ditch father's day

Sherrol in Canada   June 25th, 2009 5:25 pm ET

Jenny Sanford didn't 'stand by her man' at the podium, but she did so in her press release. She maintained her dignity somewhat, yes, and I commend her.

When she told the press a few days ago that she didn't know where he was, couldn't she have kept silent? Making that statement makes it look like she wanted to expose him – a woman scorned and all that..............

Will this lead to divorce? Some sources say she's the one with the money. I know he has money of his own, but will be be bold enough to want some kind of settlement from her?

My heart goes out to their sons and I wish them the best.

K   June 25th, 2009 5:22 pm ET

I applaud her for not standing by her lying and cheating husband. Kick him to the curb. And what kind of father visits his mistress instead of spending time with his children on Father's Day? Sick.

Sharon   June 25th, 2009 5:19 pm ET

It isn't for me or anyone else to tell Mrs. Sanford what to do but I do hope she does what is best for her and the kids and forget about her husband's wants and needs. He certainly wasn't thinking about them when he was in Argentina. She is a wealthy, intelligent and beautiful lady and can certainly do better than him. I am so disappointed in all the politicians wives who continue to stand by their men as they are humiliated in front of the entire nation.

Larry   June 25th, 2009 5:14 pm ET

I read the letter (or the part that the press released).

She's very shallow. She was sure to mention her fantastic legacy (her wall street job, launching her husband's career, her philanthropic endeavors).

Jenny Sanford is completely consumed with herself, and now she finds it convenient to play the martyr. She needs to find some humility of her own instead of just demanding it out of her husband.

Whatever Jenny. Sell it to someone who believes it. I don't mean to sound cold but this is the kind of woman whose husbands always play around on. There's no depth at home.

Felonious Monk   June 25th, 2009 5:09 pm ET

Jim in SC
"Judge not, that ye be not judged. God deplores divorce but through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation can restore all and make them whole."

Give me a break. God this, god that! Your lord jesus christ. Judge me, I'm ok with that, who cares. At least I don't adhere to a silly notion of some omnipotent being who see's and know's everything, yet still allows humans to commit atrocities on other humans. He tests us, but he all ready knows the outcome of the test. What is the point? That sound more like a run through than a test.

Thank god, a little pun there, we have separation of church and state!!!!

chuck   June 25th, 2009 5:07 pm ET

Recite a bunch of bible quotes over and over again and the citizens of South Carolina will give you a free pass to visit Argentina once a month. Judge not, lest ye be judged....(crap like that)!!!!!! It's funny how gays can not get any respect, but heterosexuals respect convicted felons by allowing them monthly conjugal visits. This country is upside down.

mary   June 25th, 2009 5:04 pm ET

Do The Right Thing, Resign!

Felonious Monk   June 25th, 2009 5:04 pm ET

Jim in SC
He did not come forward, he only admitted after he was caught. He was cornered by a reporter and told the hiking lie and then was confronted by the emails.
Is he a conservative, because this is exactly what conservatives do. they want you and I to believe that they stand for values of some sort, but they do not. Unless you count those phony values that really don't count or exist!
Typical, typical, typical.

Jamie from Riverside   June 25th, 2009 5:01 pm ET

Hey Jenny, good for you. I agree everyone should leave you and your family alone at this time. I'm so glad to see that you weren't persuaded to be used and paraded out in front of the cameras and publicly stand by that poor fool. As someone else here said; stand strong!

Marie MD   June 25th, 2009 4:59 pm ET

Dump the cheater. Hold your head high, divorce him and find a man who appreciates you and your children.
J Princeton, it might pass but he will ALWAYS be the butt of the jokes! Does she really want to live with that?

concerned1   June 25th, 2009 4:51 pm ET

If you do decide to stay, you can not claim to be a victim when it happens again, as it always does.... called a character flaw.

concerned1   June 25th, 2009 4:50 pm ET

Jenny,
I sincerely hope that you are leaving this loser. Be not fooled, All cheaters are sorry... only after their caught. He can't be sorry – he just got back from his romp. He fully knew what he was doing and willing to take the risk anyways. Set an example and walk away; don't demean yourself by staying.

Jim in SC   June 25th, 2009 4:48 pm ET

Mark Sanford, despite his mistakes and recent accounting of infidelity, is still a decent man, who I believe is more interested in reconciling his marriage than restoring his gubernatorial credibility or political future. Regardless of your/our position of his political welfare, remember that he came forward and publicly confessed his wrongdoing. It is easier to publically profess my faith than it is to confess my sins. Judge not, that ye be not judged. God deplores divorce but through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation can restore all and make them whole. I hope that we can give him an opportunity to restore his family.

The King   June 25th, 2009 4:48 pm ET

She should dump the loser.

Avi Shlomo   June 25th, 2009 4:47 pm ET

Jenny Sanford. I bet Mark has no idea how to use Skill Tools. Since he likes the wilderness, you should give him a bunch of tools and send him logging or something like that and if you are lucky he will cut his penis and spare you of more embarrassment and pain to other women. A cheater will always be a cheat!!

Ariana   June 25th, 2009 4:47 pm ET

Good for her. I'm sick of these money hungry naive women staying by their cheating husbands.

Jim in SC   June 25th, 2009 4:46 pm ET

Mark Sanford, despite his recent accounting of infidelity, is still a decent man, who I believe is more interested in reconciling his marriage than restoring his gubernatorial credibility or political future. Regardless of your/our position of his political welfare, remember that he came forward and publicly confessed his wrongdoing. It is easier ... Read Moreto publically profess my faith than it is to confess my sins. Judge not, that ye be not judged. God deplores divorce but through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation can restore all and make them whole. I hope that we can give him an opportunity to restore his family.

janet   June 25th, 2009 4:43 pm ET

FINALLY, a woman who is not stupid enough, insecure enough, robotish enough, doormatish enough, to "stand by her man"....Good for Jenny Sanford. It's bad enough to be publicly humiliated and I hate it when women stand next to the person who has humiliated them! I hope she realizes she deserves a lot better and moves on with her children. And what a great role model for those boys – her, not him.

Melissa   June 25th, 2009 4:42 pm ET

She's an idiot and a weakling for putting up with this. Just like he's a slimeball for having done it in the first place.

single mom   June 25th, 2009 4:41 pm ET

Yes!! Finally. A political wife who put her foot down and said, "No, I am not going to support you on this. What you did to me and our family is not supportable."
I am so tired of 'stand-by-their men' wives, political or otherwise.
Adultery, embezzling, whatever. Kick their rears out.
Mrs. Sanford sounds like a strong Southern Lady.

Liza   June 25th, 2009 4:38 pm ET

Am I the only one who is appalled at this guy's sniveling pathetic press conference where he seemed more concerned with the adultress' feelings than with his wife's. He's not "working on his marriage" he's still in the affair. This guy is as immature as a fourteen year old!. Kick him to the curb–NOW.

JD   June 25th, 2009 4:37 pm ET

I second the Moderate Democrat's post... and I'm THRILLED that she's not playing the 'stand by your man' role – total rubbish. Cheers to you, Jenny!

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   June 25th, 2009 4:37 pm ET

Jenny is not the story, it's her husband. Let's leave the family matter out of it. We know Sanford is a scumbag. The more appropriate quetion is were state funds funding his South American trips. If so, h needs to resign and payback the money.

Sniffit   June 25th, 2009 4:37 pm ET

Wait...lemme check....

Yep...I don't care.

Party Purity will never bring Political Power!   June 25th, 2009 4:35 pm ET

She should have ditched him, I assume she has her own money(family wealth) and does not need his. She can support the kids just in case this flaky maggot runs back off to Argentina to be with the one he really loves and ditches the child support for children that seem to come as an after thought in his list of skewed priorities.

The topper was yesterday in the "tearful" plea for forgiveness, he listed the people he had hurt and the mistress was at the top of the list, then Jenny, then "those" boys!

She should have walked right then, I am all for forgiving but not for being a doormat and this thing she is married too does not love her and is only upset he got caught.

Kristen Atl   June 25th, 2009 4:31 pm ET

Is anyone surprised. It is good to see the politicians wife not supporting her husband in this case.

If he used tax payers money to visit his mistress he should step down

jim princeton   June 25th, 2009 4:26 pm ET

chin up Sanford....don't be a wimp...it'll pass.....

Moderate Democrat   June 25th, 2009 4:25 pm ET

She seems to be a class act and a strong woman, even if she is a republican. She may have married a dirt bag, but everyone makes mistakes. I hope we treat her as the victim of a very hateful and deplorable man (aka Mr. Sanford).

Her husband on the other hand is white trash, making far too many mistakes topped by a habit of being a habitual hypocrite and liar. He needs to be thrown out on his duff from both the governors mansion as well as from his family home. He's total garbage!

Mick   June 25th, 2009 4:23 pm ET

For crying out loud, leave this poor woman alone. Her husband is the hypocritical sanctimonious dirt bag not her.

LacrosseMom   June 25th, 2009 4:19 pm ET

Good for Jenny Sanford! Standing next to a cheating spouse is just demeaning! Stand strong, Jenny!

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