Nikki Haley, S.C. Governor Hopeful, Calls Affair Allegation a 'Smear'

Nikki Haley, a state legislator from South Carolina and Republican candidate for governor, is denying allegations by a conservative blogger that the two of them had an affair.

The blogger, Will Folks, claimed on his Web site Monday that he had a relationship with Haley, a married mother of two.

"Several years ago, prior to my marriage, I had an inappropriate physical relationship with Nikki," Folks wrote on his blog, FitsNews. "That's it."

A few hours later, Haley released a statement denying the claim and calling it a "disgraceful smear" designed to derail her campaign.

"I have been 100 percent faithful to my husband throughout our 13 years of marriage. This claim against me is categorically and totally false," Haley said. "It is sad, but not surprising, that this disgraceful smear has taken form less than a week removed from the release of a poll showing our campaign with a significant lead. It is quite simply South Carolina politics at its worst."

Folks said he admitted the affair now because Haley's political enemies were threatening to make it public.

Folks is a former spokesman for Gov. Mark Sanford, who infamously and tearfully confessed to his own affair with a woman he called his "soul mate." Sanford, who leaves office in January, has campaigned for Haley, and so has his ex-wife, Jenny.

Haley's campaign had gained steam in recent weeks, getting backing from the conservative Tea Party movement and scoring a big endorsement from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

If she wins, Haley would become the first female governor of South Carolina.

The primary is June 8.