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Rippey’s 2005-2006 account
Ruby Rippey, a former aide to San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, published a Vanity Fair essay on July 28 describing an affair that took place in 2005-2006 while she was married to Alex Tourk.
“A former staffer who had an affair with Gavin Newsom over 20 years ago offered extensive details in an essay published Tuesday by Vanity Fair, taking issue with how the California governor has more recently characterized what happened”
In the account, Rippey said the relationship began over the 4th of July weekend in 2005 at a Napa Valley wedding, writing, "Alex and I stand with a group of staffers – talking, laughing, champagne in hand."
Rippey later wrote that she woke up beside Newsom "still dressed" and said, "It isn’t love. It isn’t romance. It’s intoxication."
Newsom publicly acknowledged the affair in February 2007, telling reporters, "Everything you’ve heard and read is true," and later said he was "deeply sorry" about it.
Harris advice and disputes
Rippey’s essay also revisits advice she received from Kamala Harris, then the district attorney, telling her to pause before speaking publicly, with Rippey writing, "I wouldn’t say anything right now, Ruby. Just pause."
Forbes described Rippey’s dispute with Newsom’s memoir framing, quoting Rippey’s view that Newsom’s account leaves "the unmistakable impression that he, not I, was the one who told Alex the truth."
The Hill reported that Rippey recalled Harris telling her, "Just pause. More time will give you better perspective," and said the advice was "turns out to be the best advice I receive."
Newsom’s office responded to Rippey’s essay through a spokesperson, saying the governor "does not have anything further to add" after acknowledging his role and apologizing nearly two decades ago.
Political stakes and 2028
The new disclosures arrive as Newsom’s political future remains in focus, with the Guardian saying the essay is likely to rekindle interest ahead of his widely expected run for the White House in 2028.
“Aide involved in affair with Gavin Newsom in 2005 speaks out: ‘Resentment is a luxury I can’t afford’ - Click here to listen to this article - An aide involved in an affair with Gavin Newsom more than 20 years ago, when he was mayor of San Francisco, detailed their relationship and her journey to sobriety in an essay published by Vanity Fair on Tuesday”
People reported that a spokesperson for Newsom said the governor is "openly consideringa run for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination," while also repeating that he has focused on serving Californians.
Rippey’s account also ties the scandal to her own sobriety timeline, with the Independent saying she is now 20 years sober and describing how she took responsibility for her role in the affair.
In the aftermath, Rippey said the relationship became public in February 2007 while Newsom was dating Jennifer Siebel, and she wrote that "Power does not distribute consequences evenly" as she reflected on the fallout.
