Gov. Mark Sanford will turn to existing staff members to fill the void of chief of staff Fred Carter’s departure this week — at least until a successor is named.

“He’ll rely pretty heavily on the staff here during that interim period,” said Carter, whose last day with Sanford is Wednesday.

On loan from the presidency of Francis Marion University, Carter resumes his duties with the Florence school Dec. 1 after nearly a year leading Sanford’s administration.

Sanford does have a timeline in mind to name a new chief of staff, Carter said. “But,” he added, “I think this staff has the capability to take the governor through any interim period.”

In particular, he said, Sanford will lean on communications director Chris Drummond, senior policy adviser Tom Davis and chief legal counsel Henry White.

Sanford is a very deliberate decision-maker, Carter said, and will not rush to fill the position just to have it filled.

“My sense is that there are probably a series of names that are constantly before him with regards to this position,” Carter said.

The governor wants someone “with state government experience, which would be inclusive of someone who will be able to work with the General Assembly,” Carter said. “Obviously, you’d want somebody who’s committed to the goals of this administration.”

Carter and Sanford have discussed the process of picking a successor. But Carter has limited his role in the search because, he said, it’s a decision for the governor himself to make.

“He has asked for some advice,” Carter said, “and I’ve certainly been willing to talk to him about this process.”

First lady Jenny Sanford, who has taken on some administrative duties in her husband’s office, said the governor is being diligent but deliberate in picking a chief of staff.

In the past, the governor has said his wife would take on many of the roles of chief of staff, but the job would be temporary.

Reach Gould Sheinin at (803) 771-8658 or asheinin@thestate.com.