The Appalachian Trail Runs Through South Carolina

Jenny Sanford sure knows how to pick ’em, doesn’t she?

South Carolina political blogger Will Folks has admitted that he had an affair with Republican candidate for governor Nikki Haley.

Folks wrote on his blog Monday that he had an “inappropriate physical relationship” several years ago with Haley, before he was married.

Here’s a quote from the blog entry:

In recent weeks, however, a group of political operatives has attempted to do just that. In fact, on a very personal level I have become the primary target of a group that will apparently stop at nothing to destroy the one S.C. gubernatorial candidate who, in my opinion, would most consistently advance the ideals I believe in. For those of you unfamiliar with the editorial bent of this website, the candidate I am referring to is S.C. Rep. Nikki Haley.

This network of operatives has made it abundantly clear that in the process of “taking down” Rep. Haley, they will also stop at nothing to humiliate me, destroy my family and take a sizable chunk out of the credibility this website has managed to amass for itself. Such is the blood sport of S.C. politics, I suppose – particularly in the wake of the scandal that consumed my former boss, Gov. Mark Sanford.

Specifically, within the last forty-eight hours several pieces of information which purportedly document a prior physical relationship between myself and Rep. Haley have begun to be leaked slowly, piece by piece, to members of the mainstream media. I am told that at least one story based upon this information will be published this week. Watching all of this unfold, I have become convinced that the gradual release of this information is deliberately designed to advance this story in the press while simultaneously forcing either evasive answers or denials on my part or on Nikki’s part.

I refuse to play that game. I refuse to have someone hold the political equivalent of a switch-blade in front of my face and just sit there and watch as they cut me to pieces.

The truth in this case is what it is. Several years ago, prior to my marriage, I had an inappropriate physical relationship with Nikki.

Jenny Sanford endorsed Nikki Haley for governor. Haley was also endorsed by Sarah Palin and by the Tea Party. Haley, for her part, is denying the affair.

Update:/ Here is Haley’s denial.

South Carolina gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley (R) categorically denied reports she had an affair with a prominent political blogger who was once an aide to South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R), WIST-TV reports.

Said Haley: “I have been 100% faithful to my husband throughout our 13 years of marriage. This claim against me is categorically and totally false.”

We’ll see what happens next. Haley basically called Folks a liar. I’ll bet he has some proof.