Sanford Spokesman to Leave

COLUMBIA, SC -- Governor Sanford's Communications Director Joel Sawyer has announced he will leave his post next month.

Sawyer announced Friday he'll step down August 5 to pursue other opportunities in the private sector.

"It's truly been an honor to serve both Mark and the people of South Carolina for the past six and a half years," Sawyer wrote in a statement. "This has been one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make, because I have and will continue to be such an ardent supporter of what this Administration is working to accomplish. I firmly believe that despite recent events, great things to move our state forward can be done during the remaining 18 months of this Administration."

In recent weeks, Sawyer became the person who often had to field the brunt of the media firestorm over the controversies his boss created--first for the governor's disappearance, then for the affair. Recently released documents show Sawyer fielded hundreds of media requests from across the country in the first week of the scandal alone.

Still, Sawyer says the scandal did not play into his decision.

"I want to be crystal clear that my departure is purely about what's best for me and my family on a personal and financial level," Sawyer wrote. "I wish Mark and the rest of my talented and dedicated colleagues the best."

Gov. Sanford's Cabinet Director, Ben Fox, will take over as Communications Director upon Sawyer's departure.

Here is Sawyer's statement in its entirety.

"It's truly been an honor to serve both Mark and the people of South Carolina for the past six and a half years. This has been one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make, because I have and will continue to be such an ardent supporter of what this Administration is working to accomplish. I firmly believe that despite recent events, great things to move our state forward can be done during the remaining 18 months of this Administration."

"The public nature of my job might lead some to speculate about my reasons for leaving, but I want to be crystal clear that my departure is purely about what's best for me and my family on a personal and financial level. I wish Mark and the rest of my talented and dedicated colleagues the best."

Gov. Sanford issued the following statement:

"Joel has been a wonderfully devoted and skillful member of our team. The people of our state have benefited greatly from his service, as has this Administration , and I sincerely thank him. We will miss him, but I join the rest of the staff in wishing Joel and his young family all the best in their future endeavors."