Sanford admits affair, apologizes

COLUMBIA, S.C., June 24 (UPI) -- South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford admitted Wednesday he went to Argentina during Father's Day weekend to visit a woman with whom he had been having an affair.

Sanford apologized to his wife and children and fought back tears during a 20-minute Capitol news conference, The (Columbia, S.C.) State reported.

"The bottom line is this: I have been unfaithful to my wife," the two-term governor said. "Let me apologize to my wife, Jenny, and my four boys ... for letting them down."

Sanford said he had been having the affair with the woman in Argentina, whom he did not name, for the past year but would not say if it was over, The State reported.

He would not say if he and his wife are separated.

The governor said he misled his staff earlier this week when he told them he was hiking the Appalachian Trail.

He said he would resign as chairman of the Republican Governor's Association after months of using that platform to criticize President Barack Obama's economic stimulus package.

Sanford's criticism contributed to speculation he was considering a 2012 run for president, the State said.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour assumed the chairmanship of the governor's association, CNN reported Wednesday.

Sanford did not respond when asked if he would resign as governor.