Bauer Gives Sanford Deadline to Resign

South Carolina lieutenant governor Andre Bauer (pictured left), who was outed last month by blogger Mike Rogers, said on Thursday that he would give the embattled Gov. Mark Sanford until the end of October to resign, or else he says he will run for governor next fall.

Bauer spoke to a senior citizens' meeting, according to the Anderson Independent-Mail, where he reiterated his offer that should his political adversary Sanford step down, Bauer would serve out the rest of the governor's term but not seek election in 2010. However, he said that if Sanford does not resign, he will run for governor next year.

"Part of being a statesman is recognizing what is in the best interest of the people," Bauer said, according to the Anderson Independent-Mail. "A lot of people said he wouldn't resign because it would give me a leg up on the campaign. Well, if I'm the holdback, then I will withdraw from the race."

Bauer was among those who called for Sanford to resign after he admitted to an extramarital affair in June. Last month, when Rogers claimed that he has evidence that Bauer is gay, Bauer blamed the allegations on Sanford and his associates.