Summary (tl;dr)

Ruby Rippey-Gibney, former aide to California Governor Gavin Newsom, has broken a nearly two-decade silence by publishing a personal essay in Vanity Fair detailing her 2005 affair with Newsom when he was San Francisco's mayor, drawing renewed attention to the scandal amidst his potential 2028 presidential ambitions.

Essential Background

In 2005, while Gavin Newsom was the Mayor of San Francisco, he had an affair with his appointments secretary, Ruby Rippey-Gibney (then Rippey-Tourk). At the time, Newsom was married to Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Rippey-Gibney was married to Alex Tourk, who served as Newsom's campaign manager and close friend. The affair became public in early 2007, leading to Tourk's resignation from Newsom's staff and a public apology from Newsom, who attributed his conduct in part to alcohol use. Rippey-Gibney also took a leave of absence for alcoholism treatment and later resigned from her city job.

The Full Story

Ruby Rippey-Gibney is trending following the publication of her first-person essay in Vanity Fair, where she provides her account of the affair with Gavin Newsom for the first time. The essay, reported by the New York Post and other outlets, delves into Rippey-Gibney's struggles with alcoholism and cocaine addiction during that period, as well as the power dynamics inherent in the relationship with her boss. She describes the relationship as being driven by the "allure of influence and status" rather than romance. This comes as Governor Newsom is concluding his final year as California governor and is widely perceived to be preparing for a 2028 presidential campaign, bringing the past scandal back into public scrutiny. A spokesperson for Governor Newsom stated that he "acknowledged his role and publicly apologized nearly two decades ago" and has no further comment.

Why It Matters

The resurfacing of this scandal is significant due to Gavin Newsom's potential 2028 presidential run, as it could impact public perception and voter sentiment. Rippey-Gibney's detailed account, nearly two decades later, offers new perspectives on a defining event in Newsom's political career, particularly regarding the power imbalance in the workplace and her personal struggles with addiction. The New York Post's coverage, highlighting a specific comment Newsom allegedly made, further amplifies the story. This news brief reminds the public of a past controversy that could become a point of discussion as Newsom potentially seeks higher office.

Geographic Location

• San Francisco City Hall, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, United States (location where the affair between Ruby Rippey-Gibney and Gavin Newsom occurred while both were employed there)
• San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, United States (location of Gavin Newsom's public apology in 2007 and where he served as mayor)
• Virtual/Online (publication of Ruby Rippey-Gibney's essay in Vanity Fair)