Two Sanford staffers get sizable pay hikes

Gov. Mark Sanford gave two members of his communications staff substantial pay raises — increasing one employee’s salary 41 percent — during one of the tightest budgets in recent memory.

Sanford spokesman Will Folks’ pay jumped 41 percent to $60,000 from $42,500 in the last year, according to salary data provided this month by the State Budget and Control Board.

Communications director Chris Drummond’s salary increased to $80,000 from $70,000, a 14 percent raise.

The job description for neither man changed in the last year, nor did either take on new duties.

Sanford’s Washington, D.C., representative, Scott English, also got an 11 percent raise when he took on extra duties. English’s salary went to $75,000 from $67,500 when he added policy adviser to his job description, Folks said.

Sanford, who has cultivated his reputation for tight-fistedness, said Tuesday in a statement that Folks, Drummond and English deserved their raises. Each could be making much more money in the private sector, he said.

“They work long hours, make less than their predecessors, and I consider each one of them a bargain for the taxpayers of this state,” Sanford said.

At least one governor’s office employee took a pay cut. Chad Walldorf, who changed jobs in the last year, earned $93,000 as deputy chief of staff for the Cabinet. He now makes $80,000 — 14 percent less — as a deputy chief of staff with budget, policy and legislative responsibilities.

The pay raises came at a time in which many other state employees have had to go without pay increases. The proposed 2004-05 state budget, which would take effect in July, would give most state workers a 2 percent raise, their first in two years.

Broadus Jamerson, executive director of the S.C. State Employees Association, said he wishes state workers could do as well as the governor’s staff.

“It’s never that we want to begrudge anybody pay increases, but we think the masses ought to be justifiably compensated for the work they do,” Jamerson said.

House Democratic Party leader James Smith, D-Richland, said the pay raises in the communications office show the governor emphasizes his image over substance.

“That seems to be the primary focus of (Sanford’s) office — putting a good face on things rather than doing anything,” Smith said.

Sanford has criticized his predecessor, Democratic Gov. Jim Hodges, for leaving him to handle big expenses in the governor’s office.

Folks said he and Drummond agreed to work for less while Sanford paid out annual leave due former Hodges staffers when Sanford took office.

“The governor asked if we could help bridge that gap by starting out at vastly lower salaries,” Folks said.

Folks said he and Drummond still make less than previous press officials.

That’s true, depending on to whom they compare themselves. The structure and size of communications teams of recent governors have varied by administration.

Hodges changed press aides several times during his tenure. His top communications officials made between $65,900 and $96,000.

Former Gov. David Beasley, a Republican, increased his communications director’s salary by $25,000 to $91,800 a year.

In North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Mike Easley pays his communications director $79,000. He has a press staff of eight.

Sanford’s communications office has three staffers.

Reach Talhelm at (803) 771-8339 or jtalhelm@thestate.com