WASHINGTON (CNN) – South Carolina First Lady Jenny Sanford and her four boys are moving out of the governor's mansion in Columbia and back to their home in Charleston for the upcoming school year.
The wife of South Carolina governor Mark Sanford announced the news in a statement e-mailed to reporters on Friday, days after the family returned from a two-week vacation to an undisclosed location in Europe.
"While we will be leaving Columbia, we will return often, and I will remain engaged in activities in my role as First Lady, acknowledging that my responsibilities to my family come first," she said.
Mark and Jenny Sanford's four boys have attended Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in Columbia, but they will presumably enroll in a new school in the Charleston area.
Updated with Mark Sanford's statement after the jump
The Sanfords have lived together in the governor's mansion on Arsenal Hill since 2003, when Mark was sworn in as governor, but the family has also spent a good deal of time in their private Charleston residence.
The couple have been working to repair their marriage after Sanford admitted to an extramarital affair with an Argentine woman in June. He has rebuffed calls for his resignation and says he plans to serve out the remainder of his second term.
In her statement, Sanford said she was thankful for "the overwhelming support and prayers we have received from people all across South Carolina."
"I am literally in awe of how blessed we are to have such love and support from family and friends, old and new," she said.
UPDATE: Mark Sanford's office issued the following statement on Jenny's move:
"The First Lady's Office has already put out a statement that speaks for the family, on this decision that we felt best, both for our process of reconciliation, and for the boys in the upcoming school year," Sanford said. "I stand by this family decision and accordingly ask the media to honor the zone of privacy that Jenny has asked for on behalf of the healing process and our four boys going forward."
UPDATE: Gov. Mark Sanford issued a statement on the decision Friday afternoon asking for privacy for his family.
"The First Lady's Office has already put out a statement that speaks for the family, on this decision that we felt best, both for our process of reconciliation, and for the boys in the upcoming school year," he said.
"I stand by this family decision and accordingly ask the media to honor the zone of privacy that Jenny has asked for on behalf of the healing process and our four boys going forward."
From CNN Politics
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Well Mark, she could run for 2012 and bet ya!
Hey, if you guys think that republicans are hypocrites, just look at the democrates! Need I remind you of...hmmm...I don't know, BILL CLINTON!! Oh yea, and JOHN EDWARDS!! Don't even try to put the blame of immorality on the republicans!
I thought Republicans hated Europe. What was Sanford doing over there? America first, right GOP?
Stablity for her family is important and if this is the way to achieve it I wish all of them the best. Separation sometimes strengthens the heart..I pray for that for all of you.
The more I read about this saga is the more I respect Mrs. Sanford. 1) She doesn’t take cr*p (unlike some other women). 2) She is most concerned about her four sons who undoubtedly would be the focus of unwanted attention from friends and schoolmates had they continued living in the same home and going to the same school. Kudos!
Tatianna:
Why don't you read before you post... no one is criticizing this woman. We are supporting her and her decision. What we are criticizing is the Republican's "claim" to have superior "Christian" morals and family values when in reality they do not. They are just like everyone else in this world, greedy, arrogant and human. I do not fault them or criticize them for their flaws , I fault and criticize them for their hypocrisy. They are not morally superior to any other politicians, political parties or people. We are all human. Why can't anyone understand this???
This is a LADY. the jerk she is married to doesn't deserve her. I feel so sorry for her, and for the children. Let's leave her alone, leave the kids alone, and that disgrace of a Governor needs to leave. Now.
Her pride finally kicked in. I can't believe it took her this long. Go Jenny and have a good life and let Mark go find his "soul mate". I guess you weren't it.
I'm glad that Jenny Sanford is standing up for herself and her children! The republicans should get back to basics and take that so-alled governor to the vet and have him neutered! It would follow the conservative mantra of only costing about $45.00.....
So what !? Former Prez Clinton had his ways and his wife went thru a lot, and now look,...., nuff said
Good for you lady. Not before time!
I'm surprised he's not governing from Argentina between his lover's "tan lines."
Duh. What took you so long?
how can she do that....come back and act as First Lady?????
She trusted him-he lied, trust broken never to return- ask some one who has been there done that
And the Republican Leadership ("High Moral" characters that they are) still stand by this creep.
"Forgive" him?
Run him out of town on a rail!
Its her business, his business, no one else's. Period.
Ahhhhh yes...THOSE GOP moral values. see what happens mark....you cheat on your wife and BANG she leaves you.
If guys like sanford didn't push their Christian faith so much they wouldn't come off as such bad hypocrites when they screw up.
Hope she finds happines....this time with a true God fearing man....Democrat wouldn't hurt.
Mark is a hypocrite in denial and I cannot believe that South Carolina is going to sit there and be made a fool of.
Well, with Mrs. Sanford out of the mansion, Gov. Sanford ought to take him another "hike".
Tat from 12:38 fame,
NO ONE has attacked Jenny. Quite the contrary when you read all of the articles here.
I think you just wanted to bring the President and his lovely wife into the discussion for some reason.
And since you did, wasn't it President (then candidate) Obama who asked the press to back off of Palin's dtr? I think you may have misremembered (a la Roger Clemens) how things actually transpired. But do try again (that is, to add to the civil discourse of politcal banter).
She should stay in the Governors mansion...and throw his stuff out the window. Now that would be news.
BTW, if the people of South Carolina wanted to recall their Governor, they could start the petition. And I think that time has passed. So, Sanford will stay until the end of his term. He may be too proud to resign.
Yeah, Matt, cause we all know that no Democrat would ever think of cheating on their spouse. Or lie about it to the American people. Or perjur themselves to Congress. Nope, not one Democrat would ever do that, because they have such high moral standards, right Matt?
Well, every one is being politically correct but this really means we ain't working it out. Bye Mark and good riddance
Governor Sanford is a hypocritical D-Bag! He calls for others to resign when they have had marital indiscretions, then he stays in office. He says he's in love with his Patagonian soul-mate, then pretends that he and his wife are "working" on their marriage. He needs to live up to his own words: leave his office, leave his wife, and then leave for Argentina! Good bye to Mark! And my very best wishes to his ex-wife and her sons in their future happiness; maybe they'll find a GOOD man!
No one takes delight in her misery it is the Hypocrite mark people rightfully want to see hang