Former Lt. Gov. Ken Ard Gives First Interview Since Resigning

Former South Carolina Lt. Gov. Ken Ard has given his first interview since leaving office in March amid an ethics scandal that ended his political prospects.

He admits to breaking the law, but says he never intended to do wrong, and that most of his failings were stupid mistakes.

“There was never any malice in my heart. I didn’t think or know I was breaking the law. But I did,” said Ard in an exclusive interview with his hometown paper. “It was my responsibility to know how to do things, and I chose to do them a different way. What I did was stupid and wrong — without a doubt."

Ard pleaded guilty in March to breaking campaign finance laws. He was sentenced to probation and resigned from office. Charleston Sen. Glenn McConnell was sworn in as lieutenant governor, a mostly ceremonial position.

Since then, South Carolina voters decided the lieutenant governor should run on the same ticket with the governor.