(Columbia-AP) Feb. 10, 2004 - The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled Monday that Governor Mark Sanford may continue to serve in the US Air Force Reserve. Read High Court's Decision here>>
Edward D. Sloan, Junior, sued the governor last year saying the state constitution allows the governor to serve in and command only a state militia.
But, the court ruled Monday the term militia included the reserves. The court determined that historically South Carolina's "militia" refers to citizen-soldiers as opposed to professional soldiers.
| Gov. Sanford's Statment |
| “I’m a husband and a father first, a governor second and a reservist third,” Gov. Sanford said. “I’ve felt all along though that my involvement in the military makes me a better father and a better governor. The perspective you get by being at the bottom end of the chain of command is truly invaluable in making decisions in my role as governor. I’m obviously grateful to the Supreme Court for this decision on a personal level but more importantly I’m grateful to them for taking up the issue and clearly interpreting the laws of our state as they relate to Reserve service. I’ve always viewed this decision as much bigger than me and I hope the Court’s ruling will help open the door to other folks in elected office who might want to be a part of the Reserves. I’d also credit Ned Sloan for his continued involvement in the political process by bringing this issue to the Court’s attention.” |
The court ruled the Air Force Reserve consists of citizen-soldiers who serve primarily on a part-time basis and who can be called up to serve full time in emergencies. Sanford was promoted in January to Captain in the Air Force Reserve's 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron based at Charleston Air Force Base. Sanford said in a statement that he hopes the ruling will help open the door to others in elected office who might want to be in the reserves, "I've always viewed this decision as much bigger than me, and I hope the court's ruling will help open the door to other folks in elected office who might want to be a part of the Reserves."
Sanford underwent two weeks of officer training at the end of last March at Maxwell Air Force Base near Montgomery, Alabama. He is the only governor in the nation with an active military obligation.
He said in late January he plans to honor his military commitment to show his sons about service and keeping his word. Sanford says he would not resign as governor if he were on an extended deployment. If Sanford were called up, Lt. Governor Bauer, 34, could become acting governor.
Sloan says he is a government watchdog. He would not comment on the ruling because he may petition the high court to rehear the case.
Sloan, a 74-year-old retired Greenville construction company, says he's filed about 30 lawsuits in the past six years, mostly against local governments he says have failed to seek bids before procuring construction projects as required under state law. Many of Sloan's lawsuits are on appeal or pending.
Updated 8:51am by Chris Rees
