A past indiscretion from California Governor Gavin Newsom's tenure as San Francisco mayor is re-emerging, potentially complicating any future White House ambitions. Ruby Rippey-Gibney, the former City Hall aide with whom Newsom had a brief sexual relationship in 2005, plans to share her account of the affair.
The affair, which occurred when Newsom was mayor, involved Rippey-Gibney, then his appointments secretary and married to his top aide Alex Tourk. Newsom, who was separated from his first wife at the time, publicly admitted to the affair in February 2007, calling it "the stupidest and also briefest of affairs" and "the worst betrayal."
At the time of the affair, Rippey-Gibney was reportedly struggling with substance abuse issues. Newsom also faced scrutiny for his personal conduct during his first term as mayor, with reports of hard partying and other relationships. Newsom acknowledged his own issues with alcohol and claimed to have sought substance abuse treatment, though he later admitted to resuming drinking after a period of abstinence.
Newsom's current wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, initially made critical public comments about Rippey-Gibney following the affair's exposure but later apologized for her remarks. Rippey-Gibney has since remarried and has spoken about entering rehabilitation for alcohol and cocaine issues.
The resurfacing of this past event comes as speculation about Newsom's potential presidential aspirations continues. His 2018 memoir, "Young Man in a Hurry," also touched upon the affair, detailing how his sister noticed a connection between him and Rippey-Gibney.