Jenny Sanford splits from governor, files for divorce citing adultery

Jenny Sanford made it clear today: She isn’t standing by her man.

Stung by a cheating husband, South Carolina’s first lady filed for divorce on grounds of adultery tied to Gov. Mark Sanford’s Argentine mistress.

Friends, political observers and media experts said the move separates Sanford, a former Wall Street vice president, from a string of other jilted political wives in that she moved to dissolve her marriage of 20 years.

“She impeached him when the Legislature wouldn’t,” said veteran University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato.

“In the future you will have people asking whether the wronged spouses will follow the Hillary Clinton example, or the Jenny Sanford example.”

The divorce papers, filed at the Charleston County Courthouse, came after the governor earlier this week escaped an impeachment probe by a Statehouse panel. After the panel’s vote, Sanford indicated he wanted to reconcile with his wife, though there were hints of fraying.

Just prior to his Wednesday press conference in downtown Charleston, Sanford was seen walking out of the direction of the Franke Building at 171 Church St. -- the same building where Jenny Sanford’s divorce attorney has an office.

This morning, Jenny Sanford declined to speak when a reporter approached her at her Sullivans Island home after walking her dogs. In a note released to the media she said the dissolution of any marriage is “a sad and painful process.”

“This came after many unsuccessful efforts at reconciliation, yet I am still dedicated to keeping the process that lies ahead peaceful for our family,” she said.

Gov. Sanford also did not respond to reporters today, issuing his own statement from his Statehouse office.

“While it is not the course I would have hoped for, or would choose, I want to take full responsibility for the moral failure that led us to this tragic point,” he said.

Sanford said his wife “has been more than gracious these last six months and gone above and beyond in her patience and commitment to put the needs of others in front of her own.”

The divorce papers list the date of their marriage, Nov. 4, 1989, and that the couple have four sons, aged 17-11. It did not refer to any previous existing financial or asset division agreements, or how the custody of the children would be addressed.

“The defendant has engaged in a sexual relationship with a woman other than the plaintiff,” the filing states. The “plaintiff has not condoned that relationship and is informed and believes that she is entitled to a divorce.”

The document also reads “plaintiff is informed and believes that all other matters between the parties will be resolved by agreements, which agreements will be presented to the court for approval and adoption of controlling those matters.”

Deena Smith McRackan is listed as Jenny Sanford’s attorney. She declined comment.

Under South Carolina law, proven grounds of adultery can lead to divorce in as little as 90 days.

Friends of the couple say Jenny Sanford’s decision to file was a deliberate but painful choice, and came after it was clear there was no hope of getting back together.

“Jenny Sanford is brilliant,” said Nancy Aust Strickland, who was with the Sanfords during his congressional races in the 1990s. “I’m sure she has, with great pain, made the best decision for her children, herself and her family.”

Strickland added the decision sums up Jenny Sanford’s moral code. “I think it proves that actions have consequences and, tragically, Mark’s actions have resulted in very sad hurtful consequences.”

Photo Gallery

Mark and Jenny Sanford

Jenny Sanford, estranged wife of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, filed for divorce Friday December 11, 2009. They have been married since 1989 and have four sons together.

Jenny Sanford originally said over the summer she was willing to reconcile even after publication of her husband's e-mail exchanges with his lover, and after he was caught returning from visiting her in South America at a time he said he had been on the Appalachian Trial. But during an interview with Barbara Walters that aired on ABC Wednesday, Walters asked Jenny Sanford if the marriage could survive.

“I think the hurdles are significant,” the first lady said. She also called her husband’s behavior “inexcusable,” but said she was willing to give him another chance.

Jenny Sanford is from Chicago. She went to Georgetown University and worked for a short time for the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee on Capitol Hill. She graduated college magna cum laude in 1984 with a degree in finance and headed to New York and Wall Street.

In 1987, she met Sanford, who was working that summer at Goldman Sachs, at a beach party in the Hamptons on Long Island.

The Sanfords aren't the only present day governor and first lady going

through a divorce. Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons and his wife, Dawn, are going through a nasty divorce, based on accusations that the governor there was unfaithful.

Gibbons' divorce has spelled tragedy for his political career as well, Sabato said. Gibbons is running for re-election, but Sabato said he has "no chance" of winning the GOP nomination.

"These things have consequences," Sabato said. "Even in Sin City, people get fed up.

"They don’t expect all that much from their public officials but they certainly don’t expect to be embarrassed by them. (Sanford) has humiliated South Carolina. He is a national and international joke."

For complete coverage, see Saturday's editions of The Post and Courier.

Staff Writer Andy Paras, along with the Associated Press, contributed to this report.