Published: Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009 / Updated: Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009 12:24 AM

Delleney takes stand against Sanford

Chester legislator emerges as key figure in impeachment

Until this year, state Rep. Greg Delleney was known mainly for his stances against abortion, video poker and the state lottery. Which is to say, he wasn't a high-profile figure beyond groups involved in those issues.

But Gov. Mark Sanford has shaken up South Carolina's political landscape over the past six months, and a small-town lawyer from Chester has emerged as a key player in the conflict over Sanford's fate.

Outraged by the governor's secret trip to Argentina and what he called the dereliction of duty it represented, Delleney moved for quick action. He introduced an impeachment bill and will serve on a House subcommittee that most likely would handle Sanford's impeachment hearings.

It's an unexpected role for Delleney. But The Citadel graduate grows adamant when asked why he chose this course.

“There is no one in the military, in the private sector, who could do what he did and keep his job,” Delleney said. “And we don't need to make an exception for an elected official in his capacity. Should we have a lesser standard for the governor of this state?”

Other legislators, including House Speaker Bobby Harrell, disagree with what Delleney is doing. Legislators need to find more productive ways to spend their time, said incoming state Rep. Ralph Norman, a friend of Delleney's and also an ally to Sanford.

“The state's got more important things to concentrate on than throwing a governor with no power out,” Norman said. “I'm just not going to jump on somebody when he's down, either. I respect Greg and like him. I just don't agree.”

A leading abortion foe

Now in his 10th term representing Chester County and southeastern York County, Delleney has mostly stuck to a core set of conservative causes. He was a Democrat until 2000, when he switched parties after Democrats kept threatening to challenge him in the primary.

“With Greg, it's a sense of duty,” said Drew Johnson, vice chairman of the Chester County Republican Party. “He's been very big on moral issues. He's not out on any type of vendetta, not on this case. This is done out of a sense of responsibility.”

Abortion has been Delleney's chief target. This year, he successfully pushed through the House a bill that would require a 24-hour wait before a woman can get an abortion.

Two years ago, he pushed legislation that would require women to view ultrasound images of their fetuses before abortions.

Abortion rights advocates say Delleney tries to push his beliefs on others.

“He is very passionate about what he believes,” state Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, told The (Columbia) State newspaper. “My problem is he is foisting his moral beliefs on public policy.

“I'm not surprised he's pushing this, particularly when sex is involved.”

Delleney, 57, did not spend much time criticizing Sanford until the words “Argentinian mistress” became part of South Carolina vernacular.

In fact, Delleney says he was the only member of the York County delegation to endorse Sanford in his 2002 GOP primary runoff against Bob Peeler. It was a sensitive choice given that Peeler's brother, Harvey, hails from nearby Cherokee County.

“You're not talking to somebody who has been his enemy,” Delleney said. “I have agreed with him more than I've disagreed. I just can't sit here and ratify this conduct.”

Now, Delleney uses words such as shame and disgrace to describe Sanford's misdeeds.

“If he is not impeached, then what we are saying is character doesn't matter with our elected officials,” Delleney said.

Other legislators argue impeaching Sanford with only 14 months left in office isn't worth the distraction, a view that Delleney believes misses the point. “If it was wrong in June, it'll be wrong in November,” he said.

Asked what he'll do if impeachment fails, Delleney is again brief: “I will move on to the next issue.”

“I'll know when my time is up in the House that I did what I thought was right,” he added. “I held on to my convictions. And that's what really matters.”

Included in S.C. Rep. Greg Delleney's resolution to impeach Gov. Mark Sanford:

He was absent from the state for reasons unrelated to his gubernatorial responsibilities.

There was no established chain of command for the exercise of the executive authority of the state.

He intentionally evaded State Law Enforcement Division agents.

He directed members of his staff in a manner that caused them to deceive and mislead officials as well as the public.

His actions constitute serious misconduct in office.