JENNY FILES: S.C.'s first lady seeks divorce on grounds of adultery

Jenny Sanford made it clear Friday: She isn't standing by her man.

Stung by a cheating husband, South Carolina's first lady filed for divorce on grounds of adultery because of Gov. Mark Sanford's affair with his Argentine mistress.

Friends, political observers and media experts said the move separates Jenny Sanford, a former Wall Street vice president, from a string of other jilted political wives because she opted to dissolve a 20-year marriage.

"She impeached him when the Legislature wouldn't," veteran University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato said of the Sanford scandal.

"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 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.

Jenny Sanford declined to speak when a reporter approached her at her Sullivan's Island home Friday just moments after the divorce papers were made public. 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 Friday, 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 11-17. The documents did not refer to any previous existing financial or asset division agreements by the couple, or how custody of the children would be addressed. It did suggest all matters can be resolved.

"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."

Jenny Sanford's divorce attorney, Deena Smith McRackan, of Charleston, declined comment. Under South Carolina law, proven grounds of adultery can lead to divorce in as little as 90 days.

Family law attorney John Mayoue, of Atlanta, who represented Marianne Gingrich in her divorce from former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, said that beyond the divorce settlement, Gov. Sanford has greatly harmed his ability to earn in various positions after he leaves Columbia.

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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.

Wherever he tries to be hired, or what efforts he endorses as a speaker, author, lobbyist or teacher, the allegation will be what people remember most.

"The tarnish will live with him," said Mayoue, who is not connected to the Sanford case.

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 the former political power couple would get 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."

One of Jenny Sanford's focal political strengths was in presenting her husband's message as a political candidate and officer-holder. Many observers have seen the same message control in how she previously had said she wanted to repair her marriage, if possible.

Strickland said the decision to end the marriage also 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."

The Sanfords' marriage began to unravel in January when she found out about the governor's affair, then forbid him from seeing his mistress, Maria Belen Chapur. But in June, Sanford disappeared from the state amid reports from his office that he was taking time off to hike the Appalachian Trail. After being confronted by the media on returning from Argentina, Sanford held a press conference and admitted the affair. Later, he called Chapur his "soul mate."

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Afterward, Jenny Sanford left the governor's mansion, choosing to stay on Sullivan's Island with their four sons. She has since written a book about her experiences and given selected media interviews, including to Vogue magazine.

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. That apparently ended with Friday's divorce filings.

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 from college magna cum laude in 1984 with a degree in finance and headed to New York and Wall Street. She met Sanford in 1987. He was working that summer at Goldman Sachs and they met 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 splitting up based on accusations that he too 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, he said.

Sabato said the public may be willing to accept divorce by their elected officials but not if it comes at the public's expense.

"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."

Reach Schuyler Kropf at skropf@postandcourier.com or 937-5551. Reach Yvonne Wenger at 607-3441 or ywenger@postandcourier.com.