House overwhelmingly passes Sanford censure

COLUMBIA -- For the first time in South Carolina history, the House of Representatives has censured a governor.

The House voted 102-11 on Wednesday to formally rebuke Gov. Mark Sanford for dereliction of duties, official misconduct and abuse of power when he traveled in June 2008 and June 2009 to see his mistress in Argentina.

Sanford also was condemned by the House for a handful of trips he took on state aircraft for alleged personal and political reasons.

Sanford brought "ridicule, dishonor, shame and disgrace to himself, the state of South Carolina and to its citizens," according to the censure resolution. The censure serves no practical purpose other than to formally rebuke Sanford.

The legislation now moves to the

Senate, where it faces an uncertain future.

Senate leader Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, has said he does not want the Senate to get bogged down in debate about Sanford's wrongdoings and take time from important matters.

The House spent only about 20 minutes discussing the censure before the vote, and no member pushed for impeachment.

Last month the House Judiciary Committee rejected attempts to recommend Sanford's impeachment, and instead sent the censure resolution to the floor.

Impeachment must originate in the House.

Committee Chairman Jim Harrison, R-Columbia, said Sanford's wrongdoings did not rise to the level of an impeachable offense. The state constitution says an impeachable offense is a "serious crime" or "an act of serious misconduct," and it's up to the House to determine what qualifies. Harrison led a subcommittee that examined the allegations.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, said the Judiciary Committee fully investigated the matter, and it is time for the state to move forward.

"As we begin this New Year and this new legislative session, it is time for us to turn the page on this dark chapter, and focus our state on the many serious issues we face this year," Harrell said in a statement. "Our citizens want lawmakers focused on moving South Carolina forward."

Sanford's office did not have any comment on the House's action. The governor, who is in his last year in office, still faces possible criminal and civil charges from Attorney General Henry McMaster, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, and the State Ethics Commission.

Legislators who voted against the censure gave a few different reasons.

Rep. Jim Merrill, R-Daniel Island, said he voted against the resolution because he did not see any point to it. The action also prolongs the negative attention on the state, he said.

Charleston Democrat Wendell Gilliard said the state should deal with unemployment, home foreclosures, homelessness and crime instead of the censure. Some members wanted to take the action for vindictive reasons, he said.

"That is not what our constituents sent us to Columbia to do," he said. "Censure, to me, is just a slap on the wrist, and I think we don't have time for it."

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Rep. David Umphlett, R-Moncks Corner, said his constituents have told him the House should instead work to find jobs for the people.

"He's being censured by his family," Umphlett said. "He lost everything because of this."

Rep. Patsy Knight, D-St. George, was of the same mind.

"I feel like he's been censured enough," she said.

The censure should remind all South Carolina politicians to hold themselves to a high standard, said House Minority Leader Harry Ott, D-St. Matthews.

"I stand before you as a Christian who has sins," Ott said. "The governor has asked for forgiveness. ... The final judge isn't in this chamber."

Who voted against measure

The House voted 102-11 to formally rebuke Gov. Mark Sanford.

Representatives voting against the censure were:

Curtis Brantley, D-Ridgeland; Grady Brown, D-Bishopville; Shannon Erickson, R-Beaufort; Wendell Gilliard, D-Charleston; Bill Herb- kersman, R-Bluffton; Ken Kennedy, D-Greeleyville; Patsy Knight, D-St. George; Jim Merrill, R-Daniel Island; Todd Rutherford, D-Columbia; Murrell Smith, R-Sumter; and David Umphlett, R-Moncks Corner.