COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Embattled South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has scored a major victory.

In a six to one vote, a special house subcommittee decided Sanford’s failings do not add up to serious misconduct. They voted to censure him rather than impeach him.

However, committee members had plenty of choice words for the governor, on his extra-marital affair, his behavior, and his job.

"The governor’s conduct was not that of a statesman, or even a gentleman," said State Rep. Jenny Horne . She broke down in tears expressing how sad she felt for first lady Jenny Sanford, and the couple's four sons.

All seven committee members, Republicans and Democrats alike, called Sanford’s behavior stupid, arrogant, and reprehensible.

"The governor was blessed with poor judgment. I hate to break it to you like that, but we all know it," said State Rep. Walt McLeod

Other members agreed that the governor misused his power in office, and should have resigned months ago, but the standard for impeachment was not met.

"If he cared, really cared about the people of South Carolina he would have quit a long time ago," said State Rep. James Smith.

In the end, only Chester Republican Greg Delleney voted in favor of the impeachment resolution that he himself wrote.

During the debate, Delleney argued that Sanford was AWOL and unreachable when he disappeared last June for a secret visit with a mistress in Argentina . He lied to his own staff by telling them he was hiking the Appalachian Trail, and Delleney said that was an abuse of his power.

"What we have is a governor forsaking, abandoning, leaving his office of the state. Saying he was on the Appalachian Traill was insulting to the people of South Carolina," he said.

After the lopsided vote, Delleney told Eyewitness News he was surprised that he cast the only vote for impeachment.

"The political will just isn't here for this," he said. "I think he should be impeached. I think he should be removed from office. I think he committed serious misconduct, and I was outvoted."

Shortly after the vote, the governor's office sent a statement to reporters. It said in part:

"From the beginning I acknowledged my moral failing and I apologized repeatedly, but in the same breath I said as real as that was, what has been said with regard to supposedly not watching out for the taxpayer was incorrect, and that if there had been any oversight, it was minor and technical in nature.”

And later in the statement...."it is my intention to finish strong, focusing on the economic challenges facing our state

The subcommittee moved to censure the governor for his conduct, which is a formal reprimand that allows Sanford to remain in office.

Next week, the matter will be sent back to the full house judiciary committee. There, the roughly 25 members will review what the subcommittee did, and decide whether to agree with their decision, or move forward with impeachment.

The governor still faces 37 counts of state ethics violations, and will appear at a hearing sometime in January. Those violations are likely punishable by fines and restitution.