COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Gov. Mark Sanford has chosen one of his former congressional aides to work as a legislative adviser.

Carl Blackstone, who worked as district field representative for Sanford from 1998 to 2001, was named to the position, Sanford's office said Monday.

Blackstone had been working as state governmental relations manager for the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce the past two years.

Blackstone will be paid $75,000 annually, Sanford spokesman Will Folks said.

"Carl is someone who knows both the legislative process as well as where I'm coming from philosophically on the issues," Sanford said.

Sanford represented South Carolina's 1st Congressional District from 1995 to 2001.