WASHINGTON – Nevada Republican John Ensign, who admitted having an extramarital affair with a campaign staff member, has said he will resign from the US Senate on May 3rd.
Mr Ensign (52) announced last month that he would not seek re- election in 2012. He had been facing a Senate ethics inquiry stemming from the affair.
“While I stand behind my firm belief that I have not violated any law, rule or standard of conduct of the Senate, and I have fought to prove this publicly,” Mr Ensign said, “I will not continue to subject my family, my constituents or the Senate to any further rounds of investigation, depositions, drawn- out proceedings or especially public hearings.”
Nevada’s Republican governor Brian Sandoval will appoint a temporary replacement, expected to be another Republican, to fill the remaining 20 months of Mr Ensign’s term, so the Senate balance of power would not change.
Mr Ensign admitted having an affair in 2008 with Cynthia Hampton, who worked for his campaign, and whose husband, Douglas, was a legislative aide to the senator.
The Senate ethics investigation focused in part on some $96,000 (€66,000) that Mr Ensign’s parents gave to the Hamptons, which Mr Ensign’s attorney has characterised as a gift. The heads of the Senate ethics panel said in a joint statement that Mr Ensign “has made the appropriate decision”.
Douglas Hampton was indicted last month on suspicion of trying to lobby and seek assistance from his former boss on behalf of his new employers.
Mr Ensign is the third Senate Republican to decide not to seek re-election, following assistant Senate Republican leader Jon Kyl of Arizona and Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas.
Five Senate Democrats have said they will not seek another term next year: Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, Jim Webb of Virginia, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico and independent Joe Lieberman of Connecticut.
Two Nevada representatives, Democrat Shelley Berkley and Republican Dean Heller, were already vying for Mr Ensign’s seat.
Jennifer Duffy of the nonpartisan Cook Political Reportsaid the resignation could mean an advantage for the Republican in what is likely to be a hotly contested race.
“Republicans stand to benefit assuming the Republican governor appoints Heller, which affords him the benefits of incumbency and boosts his fundraising,” Ms Duffy said.
“That said, I still believe the race is a toss up.” – (Reuters)