COLUMBIA - The search for a new executive director of the First Steps early childhood development program has been suspended at the request of Gov. Mark Sanford's office.

Sanford's office asked the 22-member board to postpone naming a new director even though the seven-month search had narrowed to a few finalists, said Susan DeVenny, chairwoman of the search committee. "We felt ... we needed leadership now."

Sanford's office said the governor wants to appoint more people to the First Steps board before an executive director is hired.

On Thursday, the board named Rita Paul as First Steps' interim executive director.

Paul, deputy director since First Steps was launched in 1999, said the agency is "at a real critical junction."

The state's $5.3 billion budget included $18.5 million for First Steps next year. That's about half what agency had to spend this past year.

Paul replaces Marie-Louise Ramsdale, who left earlier this year when she had her second child.

Along with Ramsdale, First Steps lost one of its most visible advocates this year.

Democratic Gov. Jim Hodges, who left office after losing his re-election bid in November, frequently cited First Steps as a top legislative victory. With local First Steps boards established in every county, the program works to ensure children are healthy and ready to start first grade.

Sanford, a Republican, now controls 10 of the statewide board's seats. He's replaced four Hodges appointees and expects to name the rest before September, Sanford spokesman Chris Drummond said.

"The governor is committed to early childhood initiatives like First Steps," Drummond said.

But some local First Steps leaders say the program's reputation is threatened the longer it takes to find an executive director.

"It dilutes the confidence of the public when you don't have a leader," said Jim Riddle, Lexington County First Steps executive director.