Mark Sanford: I Support You, But Release Tax Returns

Former Republican South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford penned an opinion piece in The New York Times in which he said his support for Donald Trump hinges on the nominee releasing his tax returns.

For Sanford, the issue is not the actual returns, but the voters' ability to see the candidates' returns — now and in the future.

"Not releasing his tax returns would hurt transparency in our democratic process, and particularly in how voters evaluate the men and women vying to be our leaders," Sanford wrote.

"We have a long precedent in which every major-party presidential candidate since I was a child has released his returns. Break it now, and it stays broken."

Sanford wrote that he intends to support Trump for president even though he has "no stomach for his personal style." However, Sanford said it is imperative that Trump keep his word to release his returns. To not do so would create a ripple effect with consequences in American democracy.

"If presidential candidates won't release their tax returns, you can expect the same in the states. If a presidential nominee doesn't do it, why should a candidate for governor?"

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