'This was a whole lot more than a simple affair, this was a love story,' Mr Sanford (left) said. 'A forbidden one, a tragic one, but a love story at the end of the day.'
COLUMBIA (South Carolina) - SOUTH Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, already struggling to salvage his family and his political career after admission of a scandalous affair, added explosive details on Tuesday, including more visits with the mistress he calls his 'soul mate' and additional women in his past.
More encounters with mistress
Mr Sanford detailed more encounters with his mistress than he had disclosed during a rambling, emotional press conference last week.
The new revelations on Tuesday led the state attorney general to launch an investigation of Sanford's travels, and some legislators to repeat calls for him to step down.
The once-promising presidential prospect said he is committed to reconciling with his wife, but professed to The Associated Press his continued love for the Argentine woman at the centre of the firestorm that gutted his political future.
In emotional interviews with the AP over two days, he said he would die 'knowing that I had met my soul mate.' Mr Sanford also said that he 'crossed the lines' with a handful of other women during 20 years of marriage, but not as far as he did with his mistress.
Mr Sanford insisted his relationship with Maria Belen Chapur, whom he met at an open air dance spot in Uruguay eight years ago, was more than just sex.
'This was a whole lot more than a simple affair, this was a love story,' Mr Sanford said. 'A forbidden one, a tragic one, but a love story at the end of the day.'
Even with the latest revelations, Mr Sanford maintains he is fit to govern and has no plans to resign. Mr Sanford said he is trying to fall back in love with his wife, Jenny, even as he grapples with his deep feelings for Ms Chapur.
The new revelations on Tuesday led the state attorney general to launch an investigation of Mr Sanford's travels, and some legislators to repeat calls for him to step down.
He delivered a personal check late Tuesday for nearly US$3,000 (S$4350) to reimburse the state for a 2008 state-funded trip to Argentina where he visited Ms Chapur, and he insists no public money was used for any other meetings with her.
House Speaker Bobby Harrell, who would chair any forced ouster of the governor by the Republican-controlled Legislature, said it's premature to heed calls from those in his own party to remove Mr Sanford.
However, at least 10 of 27 Republican South Carolina senators have called for Mr Sanford to resign. -- AP
