COLUMBIA--Gov. Mark Sanford's spokesman Will
Folks said Wednesday he plans to leave his post Aug. 1 to work in the
private sector.
Folks said he will revive his political consulting company, Viewpolitik
LLC. Folks briefly left Sanford's transition team to establish the company
in December 2002.
Folks, 30, said he decided to leave now because he needs "a little
anonymity back in life." He sent Sanford a resignation letter July 14.
Sanford did not return a call Wednesday seeking comment.
Speechwriter Joel Sawyer will serve as interim press secretary, said
Sanford's communications director, Chris Drummond.
Folks, often seen around the Statehouse wearing jeans and a baseball
cap, had no previous political experience before he was hired by Sanford.
His last paying job had been as a bass guitarist for a Columbia rock band.
Folks said he won't be entirely out of politics. He's working on a book
about his experience, tentatively titled "Change Agent." He also said he'd
like to be involved in Sanford's re-election campaign through his new
company.