In rapid succession, two recent op-eds have been published by Governor Mark Sanford’s apologists with me as their target. The first by Ashley Landess (“Our S.C. ports must remain competitive,” March 5, 2008) was simply misinformed.

Ms. Landess would be wise to do a fact-check on information the governor’s office provides her before firing off opinions. Contrary to her summary of my views, I have always advocated partnering with private companies to help raise funds for the future of our ports. I am simply opposed to completely turning over the management of our vital ports to a unionized company, which Governor Sanford has been aggressively pushing behind the scenes for years.

The more serious attack was made against my character by Tom Davis, the Governor’s chief of staff (“Ethical issues required Campbell’s departure,” March 7, 2008). Mr. Davis was attempting to refute my statement that the Governor removed me from the Ports Authority Board because I didn’t support his agenda for the ports. Defending the Governor, Davis said I was removed because I opened “a lobbying firm” and he claimed that was “exactly the reason Campbell was given for his removal.”

Mr. Davis is not telling the truth. In his eagerness to discredit me, Davis apparently forgot about a letter he wrote me on January 3, 2008 in which he gave the real reason the Governor wanted me to resign. I quote below directly from the letter Davis sent me:

“In any event, the governor’s conclusion that you should no longer serve on the SPA board is not simply due to the appearance of a conflict but for other reasons—most importantly, the different view you and he have as to the role the private sector and, in particular, private capital ought to play in the operation and financing of our ports.”

Mr. Davis was forced to reveal the governor’s true motive because there was no conflict. Governor Sanford has appointed dozens of people to state boards who employ lobbyists in their businesses. His case for “the appearance of a conflict” was obviously bogus. He wanted me off the Board because he couldn’t control my vote.

In other words, Mark Sanford is so consumed by his agenda that he’s willing to launch a personal attack on my character, in a manner he knows to be untruthful, merely to score a point on the editorial page. But the greatest irony of all is the governor’s decision to allow Tom Davis to write op-eds about ethics.

“ Sanford is so consumed by his agenda that he’s willing to launch a personal attack on my character, in a manner he knows to be untruthful, merely to score a point on the editorial page. But the greatest irony of all is the governor’s decision to allow Tom Davis to write op-eds about ethics. ”

In 2005, when Mr. Davis served briefly as a Sanford appointment to the Board of the State Ports Authority, Davis (who also happens to be an attorney) was caught holding private meetings with representatives of Jasper County and SSA Marine, a shipping company the Ports Authority was suing, the same unionized company Governor Sanford has been pushing us to deal with.

Mr. Davis inserted himself into the middle of a highly contentious lawsuit. And he did so secretly, without authority from the Board. Such unauthorized ex parte contact during a lawsuit is not only inappropriate; it is also a serious breach of judicial ethics for an attorney.

When the members of our Board’s executive committee expressed the view that such conduct would not be tolerated, Mr. Davis admitted he had “made a mistake” and urged us not to say anything publicly. Shortly thereafter he returned to his job as the governor’s chief of staff.

Having gone through that experience, I was not at all surprised to learn of efforts the governor’s office was later accused of making to inappropriately influence judicial proceedings in Yemessee and regulatory decisions before the Workers Compensation Commission. It is a pattern of behavior that puts the governor’s political agenda above all other concerns, including ethics and the reputation of anyone who stands in their way.

Several friends advised me I should go away quietly, that I could never win a public relations war with Mark Sanford. I knew when I drew public attention to the governor’s tactics I would probably be attacked by his agents and even by his friends in the media, some of whom still subscribe to his carefully cultivated image. He is indeed one of the best self-promoters in the nation.

Still, I felt a moral obligation to tell the truth. And once again, I repeat my challenge to elected officials and others who care about the future of South Carolina. Watch this governor closely.

Nothing is more important to the economic future of South Carolina than a strong, efficient, competitive system of ports for imports and exports in the marketplace of the world. And Governor Sanford’s agenda to turn over the management of our ports to a unionized company is the pathway to disaster.

Carroll A. Campbell III is the President of Carroll Campbell and Associates and a Former Board Member of the South Carolina Ports Authority.