On campaign stage he talks of fate, but behind closed doors he’d fornicate.

On campaign stage he talks of fate, but behind closed doors he’d fornicate.

n the mid-2000s, Gavin Newsom wasn’t yet California’s governor. He was the rising-star Mayor of San Francisco, known for bold moves like issuing same-sex marriage licenses in 2004. But in late 2005, his political momentum was nearly derailed by a scandal that hit painfully close to home.

At the center of the controversy? Ruby Rippey-Tourk, who worked as Newsom’s appointments secretary at City Hall. She was also married to Alex Tourk — Newsom’s close friend and political ally, who had managed his 2003 mayoral campaign and later served as his deputy chief of staff.

That’s where the story takes a turn.

The Affair

In late 2005, Newsom and Ruby Rippey-Tourk began an affair. The relationship was kept quiet, but the connections made it explosive:

  • She was a City Hall insider, working directly under Newsom.

  • She was married to his campaign manager and friend.

When the truth surfaced, it was more than just a personal betrayal — it blurred ethical and professional boundaries at the heart of city government.

The Public Revelation

The affair became public in early 2007, after Ruby entered a rehabilitation program and disclosed the relationship as part of her recovery process.

Newsom didn’t deny it. Instead, he took the rare step of publicly admitting the affair. He apologized to both the people of San Francisco and to his then–chief of staff, Alex Tourk — who resigned immediately upon the news breaking.

As Reuters reported at the time, Newsom said he was “deeply sorry” for the pain he caused【Reuters】.
The Los Angeles Times and Distractify later chronicled how the fallout was both personal and political, marking one of the lowest points in his career【Los Angeles Times】【Distractify】.

The Fallout

While the scandal was a serious blow to his reputation, Newsom managed to weather the storm. Key takeaways:

  • Political Damage: His approval ratings dropped, and many doubted whether he could maintain credibility.

  • Resilience: Newsom pressed forward, eventually becoming California’s lieutenant governor in 2011, and governor in 2019.

  • Lingering Shadow: For critics, the scandal still serves as a reminder of past personal failings, even as his political star continued to rise.

Why It Still Matters

In politics, personal scandals often fade, but they rarely disappear. The 2005 affair highlights:

  • The blurred lines between personal and professional lives in high office.

  • The role of loyalty and betrayal in politics.

  • The fact that even major scandals don’t always end political careers — sometimes they harden them.

For Gavin Newsom, this chapter was both a test and a scar. He survived it, but it remains part of his public record — a reminder that political leadership is as much about managing personal choices as it is about passing policy.

Back to blog