Six of 27 members of the conservative Senate Republican Caucus Tuesday night issued a letter calling on Gov. Mark Sanford to resign.
Two additional senators considered among Sanford's staunchest allies, also said they want him to resign though they did not sign the letter. Two other senior senators who spoke to the State said Tuesday's revelations moved them closer to asking Sanford to step down.
The letter was crafted by Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, and was circulated among Senate Republicans on Tuesday.
The senators take a more in sorrow than in anger tone.
"It's as though we're looking at a completely different person -- one we didn't know existed," Martin said of Sanford.
Sanford's spokesman considers to insist he won't resign. House Speaker Bobby Harrell says that talk of removal is premature, barring further investigation. Reggie Lloyd, head of the State Law Enforcement Division, says he sees nothing criminal.
The Greenville News explores the possibility of a special prosecutor. That paper, which had editorialized against Sanford resigning on Sunday, reverses course and says he must step down.
