Gavin Newsom affair recounted by Ruby Rippey in Vanity Fair essay

Ruby Rippey has given a new account of the Gavin Newsom affair that rocked San Francisco politics nearly 20 years ago, writing in Vanity Fair that the relationship began while she worked in Newsom’s mayoral office and later became a public scandal.

Rippey says in the essay that her professional boundaries with Newsom eroded during his time as San Francisco mayor, when she was employed as his secretary. She describes looking for gaps in his schedule, positioning herself where he was expected to be and leaving after making sure he had seen her.

According to Rippey, a text from Newsom would often follow, asking where she was. She says their meetings took place in several settings, including his Russian Hill penthouse, a private room in a North Beach bar and the W Hotel in Los Angeles.

What did Ruby Rippey say about the Gavin Newsom affair?

Rippey writes that she does not view the relationship as a romance. In her telling, it was tied to alcohol and cocaine use, as well as the pull of political power and feeling selected by someone important.

At the time, Rippey was married to Alex Tourk, who was Newsom’s close friend and campaign manager. Rippey says she entered rehab in May 2006 and ended the relationship with Newsom, but did not tell Tourk until January 2007.

Tourk later confronted Newsom and resigned, according to Rippey’s account. Newsom then publicly acknowledged the affair and apologized.

A representative for Newsom told TMZ that the governor admitted his part and apologized publicly nearly two decades ago, while he was still mayor. The representative said Newsom later met his wife, started a family and has focused on serving Californians.

The representative also told TMZ that Newsom has addressed that period of his life, including in his memoir, and has no additional comment out of respect for those involved.

What did Rippey say Kamala Harris told her?

Rippey says Kamala Harris, who was then San Francisco’s district attorney, called her after the scandal became public. Rippey writes that she was broke, out of work and thinking about a memoir offer at the time.

According to Rippey, Harris advised her not to speak immediately and to wait, saying more time would give her better perspective. Rippey says she followed that advice and remained mostly silent for years.

Rippey now says she takes responsibility for her decisions, while also saying Newsom had more power in the workplace relationship. Power imbalance in an office relationship refers to one person having greater authority, status or control over the other’s job situation, even if both people are adults.

In the essay, Rippey says she is still sober and has remarried. She also says she attended Tourk’s wedding after he told her they were family.

This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.