COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - 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, who worked on Sanford's election campaign, briefly left the governor's transition team to establish the company in December 2002 but ended up returning to the governor's office.

Folks said he decided to leave Sanford's office now because he needs "a little anonymity back in life." He sent Sanford a resignation letter on July 14.

"After four years of being under the gun and on the spot 24 hours a day, it's time for a new, hopefully less intrusive, chapter of my life," Folks told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Sanford did not immediately return a call Wednesday seeking comment.

"Will was a very important part of the campaign three years ago and a very creative individual who will be sorely missed," said Sanford's communications director Chris Drummond.

Speechwriter Joel Sawyer will serve as interim press secretary, Drummond said.

Folks, who could often be 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.

But he wrote an opinion piece for The State newspaper about the need for small businesses to be included in Democratic Gov. Jim Hodges' technology task force. Sanford was impressed by the article and Folks began working on his campaign in October 2001.

It may have seemed an unlikely fit, but Folks' lack of political experience was typical for Sanford. The former congressman from the coast had never served in state government and considers himself a Columbia outsider.

"I didn't know who my own congressman was, let alone who this lanky, somewhat wonkish 1st District congressman was," Folks said. "It's been an education in that sense, but I've definitely always been an outsider to the political game - which I think benefited the governor because that's the type of experience he draws from. One of his strengths is reaching out of the political mold and finding fixes to the problems that are out there."

Along the road, Folks had a few missteps. He raised the ire of some for making a joke to a reporter about the Commission on Women, which had its funding cut by Sanford during a tight budget year. He also made headlines last year when he borrowed a Corvette for more than a week from a Columbia car dealer and Sanford adviser. The car had dealer tags that were supposed to be used only by dealers, wholesalers and their employees.

Folks, 30, said he understands the media attention is part of the political process and said it had nothing to do with his decision to leave.

Legislators who worked with Folks said he was an articulate spokesman who represented the governor well.

"That's a tough assignment," said Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens. "I'm sure he's run afoul of the lines of sensitivity occasionally. I'm sure he would like to pull some of those words back. But I've enjoyed working with Will."

Clearwater Sen. Tommy Moore, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 2006 gubernatorial race, said Folks is a "bright young man" who had a tough job.

"I think it's a disadvantage not having prior legislative service. And because of the difficult relationship between the current governor and the General Assembly, I'm sure that made it difficult," Moore said.

But House Speaker Bobby Harrell said Folks' lack of political experience didn't show.

"I don't think you could tell he didn't have that experience," Harrell said. "He came in like a seasoned veteran."

Folks said he won't be entirely out of the political process. He's working on a book about his experience, tentatively titled, "Change Agent." He said he also would like to be involved in the governor's re-election campaign through his new company.

"I'm definitely going to work on campaigns and help folks who share these ideals to hopefully succeed," Folks said. "But I don't see myself working in anybody's office again."