Blogger, fmr. Sanford aide claims past affair with Nikki Haley
Blogger, fmr. Sanford aide claims past affair with Nikki Haley
Story posted 2010.05.24 at 10:04 AM EDT
By Logan Smith - email
COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - A political blogger and former aide to Gov. Mark Sanford announced on his website Monday morning a past romantic relationship with Republican gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley.
"Several years ago, prior to my marriage, I had an inappropriate physical relationship with Nikki," Will Folks said Monday morning on his political blog, FITSNews. Folks said political opponents of Haley and himself were leaking evidence of the affair to the press, and claimed the story would've come out this week no matter what.
"Several years ago, prior to my marriage, I had an inappropriate physical relationship with Nikki," Will Folks said Monday morning on his political blog, FITSNews. Folks said political opponents of Haley and himself were leaking evidence of the affair to the press, and claimed the story would've come out this week no matter what.
"I will not be discussing the details of that relationship, nor will I be granting any additional interviews about it to members of the media beyond what I have already been compelled to confirm," Folks continued.
Haley, who is married and has two children, has yet to comment on Folks' announcement. About an hour after Folks announced the affair, Rep. Haley canceled an interview with WIS News 10 that had been previously scheduled for Monday morning and had been confirmed by the campaign before the FITSNews page went live.
Haley recently rocketed to the front of the polls in the Republican race for governor after being publicly endorsed by Republican icon Sarah Palin and former first lady Jenny Sanford. Ms. Sanford, who divorced her husband after the governor announced an extramarital affair of his own, has not commented on the news of Haley's alleged affair.
Haley was once a close political ally of Governor Sanford, but somewhat distanced herself from him after Sanford's affair came to light, saying the governor had "fallen short" in his behavior. Nevertheless, the Sanford-affiliated group ReformSC recently spent $400,000 on pro-Haley ads, and Jenny Sanford even compared Haley to her former husband in her endorsement of Haley.
Neither Ms. Sanford nor Governor Palin have said whether they still support Haley. Regardless, news of the alleged affair will undoubtedly hurt Haley's political chances heading into the GOP primary on June 8.
Copyright 2010 WIS. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Story posted 2010.05.24 at 10:04 AM EDT
Comments