I write these words with sadness and a profound sense of disappointment. I worked very hard to help elect Mark Sanford governor in 2002. I even persuaded my father to support Mark in a contested Republican primary, in what turned out to be my Dad’s last campaign.

I did so because I truly believed Mark Sanford was a man of honor, vision and integrity. Sadly, I was wrong. To put this conclusion in perspective, a little background is required.

In 2003, Gov. Sanford appointed me to serve on the board of the State Ports Authority, which I was happy to do. This year, he asked me to resign.

When I pressed him for an explanation, at first he gave bogus reasons about the nature of my business (a governmental consulting business) possibly creating the appearance of a conflict of interest despite the fact that I am not a lobbyist. However, there are several other sitting board members that are either lobbyist principals or serve as a contact for lobbyist principals, yet Gov. Sanford has made no attempt to remove them. Gov. Sanford now claims that the most important reason for my removal was that I did not support his plan to relinquish ownership and management of one of our most precious and valuable state resources, our ports.

After reading all of the misinformation being spun by the governor and Tom Davis, his chief of staff, I feel obligated to set the record straight. Gov. Sanford ended my service on the board of the State Ports Authority for one reason: He couldn’t control my vote. His hidden agenda for our ports would lead to union control, which would be a disaster for South Carolina.

The tension between us began to intensify when the governor appointed ally Tom Davis to serve a term on the ports board. As a member of the board, Davis’ mission was clear. His first action item was to inform us that the governor wanted to relinquish control of our ports and had a plan to partner with a company in Jasper County that was 100 percent unionized.

I couldn’t believe Mark Sanford wanted to turn our ports over to a system governed by labor unions. I was amazed that a man who calls himself a conservative Republican would suggest this.

Davis pushed hard to influence the board. Fortunately, we resisted. In 2005, by a vote of 5-3, the board blocked the governor’s plan. Since then, the governor and Davis, who has now returned as chief of staff, have treated me with growing hostility, which ended with the request for my resignation.

It is important for the public to understand the seriousness of the issue. The governor is attempting to stack the Ports Board with members who will obey his command. If he succeeds, he may well try again.

Selling our ports to a union company or “partnering” with a unionized company would be an unmitigated disaster. Just ask the business community in Los Angeles/Long Beach. Three years ago the ships were stacked up for days and weeks because of labor disputes. Not only did it damage the economy in California; it also caused a negative economic impact on the entire country. We do not want that type of port model here in South Carolina.

Attracting private capital is a good thing. I support public-private partnerships. But we must never support a business model that requires our state to surrender our precious and valuable port assets to a unionized company.

Knowing what I know today, I’m not surprised Gov. Sanford made similar efforts to intimidate his appointees on the Workers Compensation Commission. He even contacted a state Circuit judge about an active case, which is improper if not illegal. Small wonder Mark Sanford was selected by Time magazine as one of America’s three worst governors.

When Gov. Sanford removed me from the ports board, I filed legal action challenging his decision. However, I have now decided to withdraw the appeal. I still believe there is a strong legal case to be made that he exceeded his authority and acted improperly; but this is not about me. With everything that has transpired, I have no desire to regain my seat on the board. The most important thing is for the truth to be told.

Contrary to his image as a conservative reformer, Mark Sanford’s “my way or the highway” brand of management and his serial deceptions have alienated his friends and paralyzed his ability to achieve positive change. At a time when real conservative leadership was badly needed, he has merely promoted himself.

I hope that the Legislature and the media will watch this governor closely. On the issue of our port system, which is so vital to the economic future of South Carolina, we must not allow Mark Sanford’s hidden agenda to succeed. Therefore, I am thankful the Senate is considering an investigation of the governor’s involvement into the Port Royal sale.

Mr. Campbell is president of Carroll Campbell and Associates. He is a former board member of the State Ports Authority.