10 Things You Didn't Know About Mark Sanford
Updated on 3/12/09
1. Marshall Clement Sanford Jr., the eldest son of Marshall and Peggy Sanford, was born May 28,1960, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was given the nickname Mark so he wouldn't be confused with his father.
2. As children, Mark and his siblings—John, Bill, and Sarah—spent their summers and holidays with their parents on the family farm in Beaufort County, S.C.
3. The summer after Mark's junior year of high school, his father, a cardiologist, was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. Later that summer, his father moved Mark, his mother, and siblings permanently to their South Carolina farm.
4. Sanford studied at Furman University, where he earned a B.A. in business. He went on to get an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia. After graduation, he worked at the New York office of Goldman Sachs. While in New York, he went by his birth name, Marshall. Upon returning to South Carolina, he switched back to using Mark.
5. Mark married Illinois native and Georgetown alumni Jenny Sullivan in 1989. The couple met in the Hamptons while they both were working in New York.
6. In 1994, with no previous political experience, Sanford was elected to Congress. One promise he made during his campaign was to serve only three terms. Sanford kept his promise and left Congress in 2001.
7. While in the House, he didn't accept his allowance for housing; he slept in his office instead.
8. Sanford was elected governor of South Carolina in 2002 and was re-elected in 2006. As governor, he holds "Open Door After Four" sessions at his office. These sessions allow citizens a five-minute appointment to speak with him.
9. Sanford celebrated his election and re-election as governor with barbecues. He preferred a casual celebration to the traditional inaugural ball. Both barbecues were held at the Watermelon Shed at the state farmers' market in Columbia.
10. Sanford's hobbies include windsurfing, working on his family farm, and running.
Sources:
Almanac of American Politics
Biography Resource Center
Charlotte (N.C.) Observer
Greenville (S.C.) News
Island Packet (Hilton Head, S.C.)
Post and Courier (Charleston, S.C.)
US States News
State (Columbia, S.C.)
SC.gov
Reader Comments
On the eve of your divorce
I wish you well. I hope that you can find healing in your relationship with Jenny and your four sons. I hope you will read Jenny's book and come to understand the pain, disappointment and loss Jenny was feeling after June 2009 and the tough steps she has taken to restore her life and that of your sons to something 'normal'.
I may be wrong but I feel both of you are destined to be together but you must give more of yourself, understand the makings of a quality relationship and make some personal changes. It is a loss when you take twenty years, many of them very good, and toss those years away. I hope you can find your way, again, and travel a path that makes you happy but also validates your role as father to four fine sons. You are one lucky man. Please do not throw all of this way.
Walk tall but also remember you are human, have frailties and asking for forgiveness is the strength of a caring person. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Respect those as you would like to be respected. Honor those that are the dearest to you. Think, yes think, before you act. Think about what you are doing, who you will hurt, what is your purpose and finally, work to regain the respect of your sons and your soon to be former wife. The bottom line is that Jenny deserved so much more than you gave and it would really be appropriate for you to try to undo the harmful things you brought into your marriage and into your home and life. The best in the future. I am sad that you and Mitt Romney will not team up to run for President and Vice President. America is the loser.
gov. mark sanford
not every one will admit there mistakes as you have done. they should leave you alone and work on others that have done the same. you don't read something about them every day in the paper or on the news. we all learn from our mistakes and why keep running a persons name in the ground. mr. sandford there are a very few that will admit there mistakes as you have done.i admire you for that and now its time for you to go on with your life as gov.may god bless you and keep the good works up. thanks
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