Nevada governor feels ‘very badly’ for Ensign
RENO, Nev. — Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons says he feels “very badly” for U.S. Sen. John Ensign, but wouldn’t speculate on the fellow Republican’s political future.
The Nevada senator admitted Tuesday that he had a nine-month extramarital affair with a former campaign worker, Cindy Hampton, last year.
Ensign, in his second term, has said he intends to remain in the Senate. He resigned Wednesday as chairman of the Republican Policy Committee in the Senate, the fourth-ranking leadership post.
Gibbons, who’s divorcing first lady Dawn Gibbons, told the Reno Gazette-Journal he has not talked to Ensign since the senator admitted to the affair.
“I feel very badly for John and I feel very badly for Darlene,” he said. “I think their family is suffering. This is a very personal and private matter for them.
“John handled this the way he thought was best, and I think their family has a lot of work to do to get through this. I just want to tell them that they have my support. Whatever I can do to help them is fine,” the governor said.
But he wouldn’t comment on what’s next for Ensign.
“Those are decisions that John and his family are going to have to make, not the governor of Nevada,” Gibbons said.
Dan Burns, the governor’s spokesman, said Friday that Gibbons would have no further comment on the situation.
Gibbons has had problems of his own. Since being elected in 2006, he’s been accused of sexual assault, sending love notes on a state phone, improperly firing a state employee and now, in court documents filed by his wife, Dawn Gibbons, a history of infidelity.
He’s denied having an affair and the other allegations, but faces a civil lawsuit in the employee’s firing. No charges were filed in the sexual assault, but the woman has sued the governor.
Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal, www.rgj.com
Related News
Ensign says he complied with ethics rules, never met with mistress's husband about lobbyingOctober 6th, 2009 Ensign says he complied with ethics rules and lawsWASHINGTON — Embattled Republican Sen. John Ensign says he did nothing wrong and will cooperate with any probes into his affair with an employee and his alleged efforts to cover it up.
Asked if Sen. John Ensign can be effective amid sex scandal, a top Republican stays silentOctober 4th, 2009 GOP senator silent on whether Ensign should stayWASHINGTON — The second-ranking Senate Republican offered no support Sunday for embattled Sen. John Ensign, facing renewed criticism over an extramarital affair with an aide and the actions he took on behalf of her husband.
Senate's No. 2 Republican offers no support of Ensign as ethics committee investigates affairOctober 4th, 2009 No. 2 Republican keeps mum about Ensign probeWASHINGTON — The No. 2 Senate Republican is keeping his distance from the scandal surrounding his embattled GOP colleague from Nevada, John Ensign.
Head of GOP campaign operation mum on backing Nevada Sen. Ensign for re-election in 2012August 5th, 2009 Cornyn declines to endorse Ensign in 2012WASHINGTON — The head of the Senate's Republican campaign arm is not saying for now whether he will back embattled Nevada Sen. John Ensign for re-election in three years.
Nevada Sen. Ensign says he won't support Obama's selection for US Supreme CourtAugust 4th, 2009 Nevada Sen. Ensign will vote against SotomayorWASHINGTON — Sen. John Ensign says he will oppose Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U.S.
Ensign defends silence over affair with former campaign aideJuly 26th, 2009 Ensign defends silence over affairLAS VEGAS — Republican Sen. John Ensign is apologizing for the pain his extramarital affair has caused but is withholding detailed comment on the issue.
Nevada senator won't resign, will seek re-election despite scandalJuly 15th, 2009 Senator won't resign, will seek re-electionLAS VEGAS — Republican Sen. John Ensign says he has no plans to resign despite his affair with a staffer's wife and his parents' $96,000 payout to the woman's family, and intends to seek re-election in 2012.
Aide: Powerful Ill. attorney general Lisa Madigan won't run for governor, SenateJuly 8th, 2009 Aide: Ill. atty gen. won't run for gov., SenateCHICAGO — An aide says Illinois' powerful attorney general, Lisa Madigan, has decided not to run for governor or U.S. Senate. Madigan's political director, Mary Morrissey, says the Chicago Democrat will seek another term as attorney general.
Watchdog group asks Senate Ethics Committee and FEC to investigate Ensign affairJune 24th, 2009 Group calls for investigation of Ensign affairWASHINGTON — A watchdog group alleged Wednesday that Sen. John Ensign violated the Senate's ethics rules by engaging in an affair with a campaign aide who was married to his administrative assistant, then terminating their employment.
Private watchdog group seeks Ethics Committee investigation into senator's affair with aideJune 22nd, 2009 Group wants Senate to investigate Ensign's affairWASHINGTON — A watchdog group says it will file a complaint with the Senate Ethics Committee asking lawmakers to investigate the circumstances surrounding an affair that Sen. John Ensign had with a campaign aide.
NY governor Paterson orders special Senate session to settle power fight, pass critical billsJune 21st, 2009 NY governor orders gridlocked Senate to meetALBANY, N.Y. — Unsatisfied with New York senators' efforts to resolve their paralyzing power dispute, Gov.
Dating Web site jilted trying to buy newspaper ad referring to Nevada senator's affairJune 19th, 2009 Nevada paper rejects ad about senator's affairLAS VEGAS — The owner of a Canada-based dating Web site says he was jilted when he tried to place an advertisement in Nevada's largest newspaper to capitalize on U.S. Sen. John Ensign's extramarital affair.
GOP Senator's admission of extramarital affair was prompted by an 'extortion threat'June 17th, 2009 TEHRAN - A public admission by Republican Senator John Ensign-that he had an extramarital affair with a member of his campaign staff-was prompted by a blackmail threat, Fox News claimed. "Last year, I had an affair.
Former campaign staffer confirms affair with Nevada Sen. EnsignJune 17th, 2009 Ex-campaign staffer confirms affair with EnsignWASHINGTON — A former campaign staffer for Sen. John Ensign is confirming her involvement in an extramarital affair.
LA Dodgers manager Joe Torre: Manny Ramirez feels he let Dodgers down with doping suspensionMay 8th, 2009 Torre: Ramirez feels he let Dodgers downLOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre says Manny Ramirez feels he disappointed his team. The star outfielder was suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball on Thursday for using a banned drug.
Loading ...