Former SC Gov. Mark Sanford lands job as cable news contributor

FILE - In this Feb. 21, 2010 photo, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford participates in the Southern Governors' Association meeting on energy independence during the National Governors Association winter meeting in Washington. Sanford says he spent this past weekend with his Argentine lover in Florida. He told reporters at a news conference on an unrelated issue Wednesday May 12, 2010 that he spent several days with Maria Belen Chapur to see if they could restart their relationship. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

In this Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010 photo, S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford talks with Associated Press reporters in his office in Columbia, S.C. about his time in office and his future. (AP Photo/Virginia Postic)

Former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, who left office in disgrace after a highly publicized affair with his Argentine mistress, has joined the Fox News Channel as a paid contributor.

Sanford famously told staffers and the press that he was “hiking the Appalachian trial” in June 2009 when he was in fact visiting his mistress, Maria Belen Chapur, in Argentina.

The former governor was considered a potential 2012 Republican presidential contender before the affair and the ensuing scandal ended his political aspirations.

Despite calls for his resignation, and attempts to impeach him by the state legislature, Sanford finished his term as governor, leaving office in 2010.

His wife, Jenny Sanford, filed for divorce and moved out of the Governor’s Mansion with their four children. She had earned the majority of their wealth as an investment banker.

The New York Times broke the news about Sanford’s new television career Friday evening. A Fox News representative confirmed the news, but no details about his role have been disclosed.

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