Jenny Sanford, Kids Move Out

Influential first lady could give crucial boost to Nikki Haley

(NEWSER) - Jenny Sanford is getting back into politics—by endorsing a relative underdog in the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary. Mark Sanford's estranged wife announced her support for Nikki Haley, a "principled, conservative, tough and smart” candidate, in the five-way race for the nomination to replace her husband. Haley was a strong ally of Mark Sanford's but has distanced herself from the governor since the scandal surrounding his extramarital affair. More»

(NEWSER) - A trove of emails from Mark Sanford's office contains no discussion of his recent disappearance or the resulting scandal, the State reports. Critics suspect the South Carolina governor is holding something back. “It’s a very legitimate suspicion,” a professor says. “Complex organizations in the 21st century are highly dependent on e-mail.” Within the innocuous emails, however, are clues to another communication system. More»

Four tricks up his sleeve to win back the public

(NEWSER) - Mark Sanford has fallen from grace, but he possesses the know-how to make his way back, writes Roger Simon of Politico. What the philandering governor has going for him:

• "He knows how to use people." Just look at his marriage: His wife ran his campaign in 1994, when they had two children under 2, and he paid her back “by betraying and humiliating her.”

Rambling missive says new 'humility' could make him better gov

(NEWSER) - In an online apology to South Carolinians, Mark Sanford asks for forgiveness and explains his decision to keep his post in an effort to become “a better person,” WLTX reports. “Close friends” suggested he’d be “of more service in whatever doors God opened next in life if I stuck around to learn lessons rather than running and hiding down at the farm,” he writes. More»

SC first lady dishes on confessional press conference: 'way too long'

(NEWSER) - Jenny Sanford continues to offer tantalizing glimpses into her relationship with South Carolina governor and soon-to-be ex-husband Mark Sanford and the fallout of his affair. Sanford sat down with Good Morning America and provided NPR with an excerpt of her new book, Staying True. Some quips and revelations:

• The confessional press conference: Sanford continues to make short work of questions about why she didn't appear with her husband when he announced his affair. "I don't know what I would have stood by him about," she tells NPR.