(Columbia-AP) Nov. 13, 2003 - Governor Mark Sanford's chief of staff leaves in five days and Sanford does not yet have a replacement. He says he may have to run his office without a top deputy for a while and use a "team approach" until he hires someone.

Fred Carter has been serving as chief of staff while on leave from his job as president of Francis Marion University. Carter has been drawing his $136,000 salary while taking no salary from the governor's office.

Sanford says he will take his time and find the right person for the job.

In August Sanford announced First Lady Jenny Sanford has taken on some administrative duties in the governor's office. The Sanfords are quick to point out Jenny Sanford is not acting as chief of staff. She's a former investment banker who is sitting in on some of her husband's meetings and is communicating between him and his executive staff.

The Sanfords say the first lady is helping to bridge the duties of Carter and his yet-to-be-named successor. Jenny Sanford ran her husband's elections for Congress in the 1990s and for governor last year. She is not being paid.

posted 8:09am by Chris Rees