A year later, Gov. Mark Sanford disappears — again

On the day that Nikki Haley is likely to nab the GOP nomination to become his all-but-certain replacement, the man who made the Appalachian Trail a code word for philandering has disappeared.

Again.

This time, we’re headed straight to baggage claim at Hartsfield-Jackson. From The State newspaper in Columbia:

Nearly one year to the day that Gov. Mark Sanford embarked on a secret trip to Argentina and turned S.C. politics on its ear, Sanford’s whereabouts are unknown to the press and the public.

Monday, Sanford’s spokesman Ben Fox told The State Sanford is on “personal time” but declined to say where the governor is.

Sanford is due back in the office this morning, Fox said. He spent most of the Father’s Day weekend with his four sons, and the governor has been in communication with his staff over the weekend and Monday, Fox added.

State Law Enforcement Division Director Reggie Lloyd said Sanford has security with him but would not elaborate.

“We’ve left it up to the governor’s office to disclose where (Sanford) is,” Lloyd said.

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer said Monday no one has informed him of the governor’s location.

“The governor is entitled to personal time, vacation time. No problem with that,” said John Crangle, director of Common Cause, a nonprofit that encourages open government. “But, because of the importance of the office of governor, he should at least notify the lieutenant governor if he’s outside the state. When you assume a public office, you forfeit some of your privacy because you’re accountable to the public.”

For instant updates, follow me on Twitter, or connect with me on Facebook.