A look at odd behavior by US governors

A look at odd behavior by US governors

South Carolina’s chief executive isn’t the first to earn headlines for acting odd. A look at governors’ unusual behavior:

—Mark Sanford; South Carolina governor, 2003 to present: Sanford disappeared last week on a secretive vacation, out of pocket from staff, state leaders and even his wife. He had also once put a “spending clock” outside his office to show how quickly a proposed budget would spend state money, and brought pigs to the House chamber to protest pork he said lawmakers left in a budget.

—Earl Long; governor of Louisiana, 1939-1940, 1948-1952, 1956-1960: Long had an affair with a stripper, Blaze Starr. In 1959, Earl got into arguments with legislators at the State House and his wife at the mansion. He was committed to the State Hospital for the Insane but released after using his authority as governor. He removed the hospital director and replaced him with a doctor who was his ally.

—Jimmie Davis; Louisiana governor, 1944-1948 and 1960-1964: Well known as the “Singing Governor”, Davis gained international fame with his version of the song “You Are My Sunshine.” Even while serving as governor, he kept his hand in show business and set a record for absenteeism during his first term with trips to Hollywood to make Western “horse operas.”

—Lester Maddox; Georgia governor, 1967-1971: Maddox was known for quaint sayings, such as calling constituents “little people,” and outrageous gestures such as riding a bicycle backward.

— Jesse Ventura; Minnesota governor, 1999-2003: Ventura traded his pinstriped suits for referee stripes when he took part in a WWE “SummerSlam” event in Minneapolis. Later in his term, he moonlighted as a football commentator for the failed XFL. He also tried to make Capitol reporters wear press credentials dubbing them “Jackals.”

—Rod Blagojevich; Illinois governor, 2003-2009: After his ouster from office, Blagojevich joined the Second City comedy troupe for a performance of its show “Rod Blagojevich Superstar.” He also planned to appear on NBC’s “I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!” until a judge ruled he couldn’t leave the country while awaiting trial on federal corruption charges.

—Eliot Spitzer; New York governor, 2007-2008: Elected on an anti-corruption platform, Spitzer resigned after becoming embroiled in an investigation into a high-end prostitution ring. Referred to in court papers as “Client-9,” Spitzer spent tens of thousands of dollars to arrange visits with prostitutes, law enforcement officials said. Prosecutors ultimately declined to file criminal charges.

Compiled by Monika Mathur at the AP’s News Research Center.