Ruby Rippey, the former mistress of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, has revealed that then-San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris advised her to remain silent following the public revelation of the affair in 2007. Rippey described the fling in a recent tell-all piece for Vanity Fair.
The scandal, which occurred when Newsom was mayor of San Francisco, nearly derailed his political career. Newsom publicly confessed to the affair that same year. At the time, Rippey was married to Alex Tourk, a close friend and top aide to Newsom.
Rippey stated that Harris contacted her after the affair became public. At that point, Rippey was unemployed, struggling financially, and considering an offer to write a memoir. According to Rippey, Harris urged her to "pause" and suggested that more time would offer better perspective.
"It turns out to be the best advice I received," Rippey said of Harris's counsel. She adhered to this advice for approximately two decades.
Newsom, who has since become governor of California, has publicly addressed the affair, calling it one of the worst errors of his life in his recent memoir. His office stated that he has addressed this chapter of his life and, out of respect for those involved, has no further comment.
Both Newsom and Harris are considered potential contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028. Early polling suggests they are leading other potential candidates. Rippey's decision to break her silence now comes as the political landscape has shifted significantly since the affair initially came to light.