South Carolina House Rebukes Governor, Senate Sidelines Censure

The lawmakers voted 102-11 to censure Sanford for bringing "ridicule, dishonor, disgrace and shame" to himself and the state. The rebuke says the two-term Republican was derelict in his duty and abused his power.

The issue came up a few hours later in the Senate, but was sidelined when a legislator said the resolution needed to be reviewed in a committee. Some Senate leaders have said their body may never vote on censure.

The censure has no practical effect on the final year of Sanford's tenure. State law prevents him from running again.

Before the vote, Sanford said he wouldn't attend the session or watch and would have no comment. "It is what it is," Sanford said.

Sanford has been under scrutiny since his June revelation of an affair that included a trip to see a woman after telling staff he was going to hike on the Appalachian Trail. He still faces civil ethics charges over travel on state planes.

The governor ignored calls to resign after he returned and tearfully confessed an affair with the woman he later called his soul mate.

The House Judiciary Committee had considered impeaching Sanford but decided against it.