Sanford vows to remain S.C. governor

COLUMBIA, S.C., Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Embattled South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford repeated his vow not to resign, and pledged to fight any attempt to impeach him.

Sanford, in an interview with The Greenville (S.C) News, also said his political voice may be heard by lawmakers more now than it was before June, when he revealed he had a year-long extramarital affair with an Argentine woman.

"I would argue that I have a greater voice in the General Assembly than I did at the end of the stimulus debate," when he threatened to refuse the federal aid, he said.

Sanford also said his life has become simpler now that any political aspirations he held lay in the dust.

"Nobody works harder for redemption than someone who fails," he said. "In many ways, I've never been as focused on the job as I am now."

Sanford also said any violations of law arising from a State Ethics Commission investigation would be "technical."

His resignation or impeachment would be bad for the state because of the upheaval it would create in the 15 months left in his term, Sanford said, adding that his effort to remain in office is driven by what's good for South Carolina, not what's good for him.

"If I thought it was best for the state to have moved on, I would have left a long time ago," he said.