John Ensign#Extramarital affair

Ensign was born in 1958 in Roseville, California, to Sharon Lee Cipriani (whose father was Italian) and a father whose surname was Mueller.{{cite web |title= Senators: Ensign |url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~battle/senators/ensign.htm |publisher= Ancestry.com |access-date=June 17, 2009}} Ensign's parents, married too young, separated when Ensign was four years of age; Ensign then moved with Cipriani to Nevada. Cipriani later married Michael S. Ensign, a gaming industry executive; he formally adopted young John, who considers him his "real father." The senior Ensign later became chairman of the board of directors of Mandalay Resort Group.{{cite news |url=http://gamblingmagazine.com/articles/05/05-218.htm |title=Mandalay Details Spending, Share Buyback Program |work=Gambling Magazine |year=2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070413041619/http://www.gamblingmagazine.com/articles/05/05-218.htm |archive-date=April 13, 2007}}

John Ensign attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, becoming a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1981. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University in 1985 and entered veterinary practice soon after. Ensign became a successful businessman, opening a 24-hour animal hospital in Las Vegas. He owned two animal hospitals before entering politics.

In political campaigns, Ensign frequently referred to his ancestry, noting that he is one-eighth (1/8) Filipino.{{cite web |first=Dan |last=Rafael |title=My postfight sit-in with Pacquiao |url= https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=4146231&type=story |work=ESPN.com:Boxing |publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures |format=interview article |date=May 6, 2009 |access-date=May 11, 2009 |quote="Turns out Ensign is a huge boxing fan and one-eighth Filipino, so he was excited to meet Pacquiao and have him pose for a photo with him and his kids."}}{{cite web|title=Ensign Commemorates Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month |url=http://ensign.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Media.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=fd766f79-d7c7-9e6e-53f6-f70b2fb18393 |access-date=June 17, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620235750/http://ensign.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Media.PressReleases |archive-date=June 20, 2009 }} As of 2008, Ensign had never met his Philippine-born paternal grandfather, who is of Filipino-German ancestry. Ensign did not learn of this grandfather's ancestry until about 1994. The Senator was conferred the Order of the Knights of Rizal with the rank of Knight Grand Cross of Rizal by Filipino dignitaries in 1997.{{cite news|title=Ensign stands firm on vote: Senator opposed Filipino veterans benefits increase |url=http://www.lvrj.com/news/18397844.html |author=Tony Batt |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 30, 2008 |access-date=June 17, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608015626/http://www.lvrj.com/news/18397844.html |archive-date=June 8, 2011}}

After resigning from the U.S. Senate in 2011, Ensign returned to Las Vegas with his family. Ensign then renewed his practice as a veterinarian and opened Boca Park Animal Hospital.{{cite news |url=http://bocaparkanimalhospital.com/about-us/dr-john-ensign/ |title=Boca Park Animal Hospital – Dr. John Ensign – Las Vegas, NV |publisher=Boca Park Animal Hospital |date=2013 |access-date=April 24, 2014 |archive-date=April 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426201409/http://bocaparkanimalhospital.com/about-us/dr-john-ensign/ |url-status=dead }}

In 1994, Ensign won the Republican nomination for Nevada's 1st congressional district, based in Las Vegas. He trailed four-term incumbent Democrat James Bilbray by a wide margin for most of the campaign. However, Ensign gained considerable momentum after reports surfaced that a Bilbray aide stood to make a huge profit from lands legislation sponsored by Bilbray.{{cite web |url=http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/dnw2006100501/|title=October Surprise! (And a Leadership Demise?)|access-date=June 22, 2009|first=David|last=Wasserman|author2=Larry J. Sabato|author2-link=Larry J. Sabato|date=October 5, 2006|work=Crystal Ball |publisher=University of Virginia Center for Politics |quote=Nevada Rep. James Bilbray (D) was felled after it was revealed days before the election that his aide stood to profit millions from lands legislation he had sponsored}} Ensign won the election by 1,400 votes and was reelected in 1996 by seven points, although Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton carried the district by a large margin that year.

{{See also|1998 United States Senate election in Nevada|2000 United States Senate election in Nevada|2006 United States Senate election in Nevada|2012 United States Senate election in Nevada|l2=2000|l3=2006|l4=2012}}

In 1998, Ensign ran for the Senate but was defeated by the Democratic incumbent, future Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, by 401 votes.[http://sos.state.nv.us/nvelection/1998recount/ Nevada Secretary of State – 1998 US Senate Recount Results] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050228085747/http://sos.state.nv.us/nvelection/1998recount/ |date=February 28, 2005 }}

Ensign won a Senate seat on his second try in 2000, defeating Democratic opponent Ed Bernstein by a 55%–40% margin,[http://sos.state.nv.us/nvelection/2000General/ElectionSummary.htm Nevada Secretary of State – 2000 General Election Results] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060622010941/http://sos.state.nv.us/nvelection/2000General/ElectionSummary.htm |date=June 22, 2006 }} to succeed the retiring Democratic incumbent, Richard H. Bryan. Ensign was reelected in 2006; he defeated businessman Jack Carter.

Ensign and Reid developed a fairly good relationship, despite their bruising 1998 contest. They frequently worked together on Nevada issues.{{Cite news |last=Freking |first=Kevin |title=Sen. Ensign admits affair with ex-campaign staffer |newspaper=The Guardian |date=June 17, 2009 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/feedarticle/8561969 |access-date=November 26, 2009 |location=London}}

In April 2009, Ensign was planning a June 1 trip to Iowa, the first in his career, causing speculation that he was mulling a presidential campaign in 2012.{{cite news |last=Cillizza |first=Chris |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/the-rising/john-ensigns-unapologetic-crit.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809010559/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/the-rising/john-ensigns-unapologetic-crit.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 9, 2010 |title=John Ensign's Unapologetic Critique |work=Washington Post The Fix Blog |date=April 23, 2009}} Given the disclosure of his extramarital affair and cover-up in mid-June of that year, his presidential aspirations were put in limbo.{{cite news |last=Herszenhorn |first=David M. |url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/16/senator-ensign-admits-extramarital-affair/?hp&apage=2#comments |title=Senator Ensign Admits Extramarital Affair |work=The New York Times Caucus blog |date=June 16, 2009 |access-date=June 16, 2009}} Ensign resigned his position as chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee on June 17, 2009, in the wake of a Senate Ethics Committee investigation.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/18/us/politics/18ensign.html?mtrref=www.nytimes.com |title=After Affair, Senator Resigns Leadership Job |last1=Rutenberg |first1=Jim |last2=Friess |first2=Steve |date=June 17, 2009 |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 13, 2017}} On July 14, 2009, Ensign announced his plan to run for re-election to his Nevada Senate seat in 2012, even though his polling numbers had recently decreased.{{cite news |first=Molly |last=Ball |title=New poll reveals Ensign's status sinking, But most Nevadans still say Republican senator should not resign |url=http://www.lvrj.com/news/51133132.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 19, 2009|access-date=July 20, 2009}}

For Sharron Angle's debate with Harry Reid on October 14, 2010, Ensign played Reid during one day of her debate preparation at the Trump Plaza in Las Vegas.{{cite news |last=Ralston |first=Jon |title=Ensign played Reid in Angle debate prep; Angle once said dictators can have "good ideas" |newspaper=Las Vegas Sun |date=November 17, 2010 |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/ralstons-flash/2010/nov/17/ensign-played-reid-angle-debate-prep-angle-once-sa/ |access-date=November 18, 2010}} The Las Vegas Sun speculated in November 2010 that this might hurt his relationship with Reid, who could "man up" and oppose Ensign's re-election. The Las Vegas Review-Journal noted in November 2010 that Ensign had multiple "hurdles" to re-election.{{cite news |last=Tetreault |first=Steve |title=Ensign faces hurdles running for third Senate term |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 17, 2010 |url=http://www.lvrj.com/news/ensign-running-for-re-election-with-a-taint-says-he-s-still-effective-108830784.html |access-date=November 18, 2010}}

Ensign was elected Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). As chairman of the NRSC, Ensign was charged with assembling a staff to win back the U.S. Senate for Republicans in the 2008 elections. Ensign chose Mike Slanker and Lindsey Slanker of Nevada-based political consulting firm November Inc. to be the Political Director and Finance Director of the NRSC. In the 2008 elections, Democrats gained 8 seats, and after the party switch of Arlen Specter in 2009, the Democrats gained a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

In September 2007, it was discovered that Ensign had used the secret hold rule to prevent a bill requiring senators to file fund-raising reports electronically from being voted on. He required that they first vote on his amendment to strengthen disclosure rules. (The "secret hold" is a parliamentary procedure within the Standing Rules of the Senate that allows one or more Senators to prevent a motion from reaching a vote on the Senate floor.){{cite news |last=NYT Editorial staff |title=Let the Sunshine In |date=September 27, 2007 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/27/opinion/27thur3.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 25, 2011 |quote="The secret holder turned out to be Senator John Ensign, a Nevada Republican. "}} Ensign insisted that, before a vote on the disclosure bill could be held, the committee would first vote on an amendment that "would force groups petitioning the Senate Ethics Committee to disclose the identity of donors giving more than $5,000", which watchdog groups charged was intended to prevent passage of the bill.{{cite news |first=Elena |last=Schor |title=Ensign vows to keep e-filing bill in limbo |date=September 28, 2007 |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/10784-ensign-vows-to-keep-e-filing-bill-in-limbo/ |work=The Hill |access-date=April 25, 2011 |quote=Ensign's amendment would force groups petitioning the Senate Ethics Committee to disclose the identity of donors giving more than $5,000.}}

{{main|2006 United States Senate election in Nevada}}

Ensign faced Democrat Jack Carter, son of former President Jimmy Carter, in the November general election. Both he and Carter defeated token opposition in their August 15, 2006 primaries. Ensign defeated Carter in the general election on November 7, 2006, 55.36% to 40.99%.{{cite web|title=Election summary |url=http://nvsos.gov/index.aspx?page=248|work=2006 Election Information|publisher=Nevada Secretary of State|access-date=July 23, 2011}}

On March 7, 2011, in the midst of a Senate Ethics Committee investigation, Ensign said he would not seek re-election in 2012 because he wanted to spare his family from an "exceptionally ugly" campaign. "At this point in my life, I have to put my family first," Ensign told reporters at a news conference in Las Vegas. The announcement was welcomed by national Republicans, who suggested he would not have survived a primary election.{{cite news |last1=Memoli |first1=Michael A. |author2=Lisa Mascaro|author3=Ashley Powers |url=https://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-ensign-retire-20110308,0,2651430.story |title=Nevada GOP Sen. John Ensign won't seek reelection |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 7, 2011 |access-date=March 8, 2011}} The Senate Ethics Committee conducted a 22-month investigation of Ensign's activities. Before they released their report, on April 21, 2011, Ensign announced his resignation from office effective May 3.{{cite news |url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/senator-ensign-to-resign-amid-inquiry/?hp |title=Senator Ensign to Resign Amid Inquiry |work=The New York Times Caucus blog |date=April 21, 2011 |access-date=April 21, 2011}} He said that he "will not continue to subject my family, my constituents, or the Senate to any further rounds of investigation, depositions, drawn out proceedings, or especially public hearings."{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna42711091 |title=Nevada senator, facing ethics probe, says he'll resign |publisher=NBC News |date=April 21, 2011 |access-date=April 21, 2011}} The Committee gave its report to the Department of Justice for investigation of alleged serious violations of law.{{cite news |title=Senate ethics committee: Ensign violated federal laws |author=Paul Kane |author2=Carol D. Leaning |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/ethics-committee-to-unveil-ensign-probe-findings-in-senate-speeches/2011/05/12/AFhRvA0G_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 12, 2011 |access-date=May 13, 2011}}

Ensign became the first United States Senator from Nevada to resign, besides Alan Bible, who resigned seventeen days before the end of his term to give his successor an advantage in seniority.{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/chronlist.pdf |title=A chronological list of senators since the First Congress in 1789|website=Senate.gov|access-date=October 5, 2018}}

• Committee on the Budget
• Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
• Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security
• Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet (Ranking Member)
• Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security
• Committee on Finance
• Subcommittee on Health Care
• Subcommittee on Taxation, IRS Oversight, and Long-Term Growth
• Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions and Family Policy
• Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

The National Right to Life Committee and NARAL Pro-Choice America certify his anti-abortion voting record.{{cite web |url=http://www.capwiz.com/nrlc/scorecard.xc?chamber=S&state=US&session=111&x=16&y=17 |title=Federal Legislation – Legislative Action Center |publisher=Capwiz.com |access-date=April 27, 2012 |archive-date=May 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523093944/http://www.capwiz.com/nrlc/scorecard.xc?chamber=S&state=US&session=111&x=16&y=17 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/search.jsp?query=ensign&x=0&y=0 |title=Search Results |website=www.prochoiceamerica.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927235437/http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/search.jsp?query=ensign&x=0&y=0 |archive-date=2007-09-27}} Ensign authored the Child Custody Protection Act in 2003, which prohibits taking minors across State lines to circumvent laws in certain jurisdictions that require parents to be involved in abortion decisions by minors.{{USBill|108|HR|851}}

Ensign was considered one of the Humane Society's biggest allies in Congress.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50953-2004Aug8_4.html |title=Vegan in the Henhouse |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=August 9, 2004}} Along with Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Arlen Specter (D-PA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Senator Ensign—a veterinarian—was a lead sponsor of the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, which transformed into a felony the transport of animals across state lines for the purpose of fighting. According to a press release from Ensign's office, "Fifty states currently have laws against dog fighting and forty-nine have laws against cockfighting. This bill complements these state laws."{{cite web |url=http://ensign.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Media.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=b2fe146a-9f85-42c7-a21d-3ce4e1dba850&Region_id=&Issue_id= |title=Ensign Applauds Passage of Animal Fighting Bill |date=April 11, 2007 |archive-date=April 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110422053954/http://ensign.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Media.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=b2fe146a-9f85-42c7-a21d-3ce4e1dba850&Region_id=&Issue_id= |url-status=dead}}

Senator Ensign was a member of the Congressional Cuba Democracy Caucus.

On December 18, 2010, Ensign voted in favor of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 to allow gay and lesbian people to serve openly in the armed forces.{{cite web |url=http://tucsoncitizen.com/usa-today-news/2010/12/18/senate-passes-dont-ask-sends-repeal-to-obama/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009002904/http://tucsoncitizen.com/usa-today-news/2010/12/18/senate-passes-dont-ask-sends-repeal-to-obama/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 9, 2011 |title=Senate passes 'don't ask,' sends repeal to Obama |publisher=Tucsoncitizen.com |date=December 18, 2010 |access-date=April 22, 2011}}

Ensign had been a leading voice against the Kelo v. New London Supreme Court ruling, and introduced a bill that would blunt the effects of the ruling.{{cite web |url=http://ensign.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Media.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=b5e6e427-bf9b-4dc0-939e-2f6edf7ed33b&Region_id=&Issue_id= |title=Kelo Anniversary Time to Take Action |date=June 22, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110408051426/http://ensign.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Media.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=b5e6e427-bf9b-4dc0-939e-2f6edf7ed33b&Region_id=&Issue_id= |archive-date=April 8, 2011 |url-status=dead}} In Kelo, the Court ruled that local governments could use eminent domain not just for public use but for any project that involves a public purpose. Specifically, the Court permitted the City of New London, Connecticut, to force a homeowner to sell her home for new development. The decision that eminent domain could be used to issue a condemnation order on a property for a private purpose caused a backlash.

The conservative fiscal watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste awarded Ensign a 92% lifetime rating—the fourth highest Senator after Jim DeMint, Tom Coburn and Jon Kyl—as of 2007.{{cite web |url=http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/DocServer/2007_Senate_Ratings_Final.pdf?docID=3282 |title=2007 Senate Ratings Final |access-date=April 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081127035239/http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/DocServer/2007_Senate_Ratings_Final.pdf?docID=3282 |archive-date=November 27, 2008}}

In 2005, Ensign introduced legislation to the Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies.{{cite web |first=Brian M. |last=Riedl |url=http://www.heritage.org/research/budget/hl806.cfm |title=An Innovative and Bold Budget Proposal in the Senate |publisher=The Heritage Foundation |date=October 26, 2005 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312233642/http://www.heritage.org/Research/Budget/HL806.cfm |archive-date=March 12, 2009}} The commission would compile a list of what its members consider unnecessary, outdated, wasteful, or duplicative discretionary programs, and require Congress to vote up-or-down to eliminate all programs on the list. The proposal was similar to the process Congress uses for Base Realignment and Closure to assess military bases. It was not passed.

Ensign opposed President Barack Obama's health reform legislation; he voted against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in December 2009,[https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00396 Senate roll call vote on passage of H.R. 3590, December 24, 2009 (111th Congress, 1st Session)]. and he voted against the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.[https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00105 Senate roll call on passage of H.R. 4872, March 25, 2010 (111th Congress, Second Session)].

In 1998, after President Bill Clinton admitted to having committed adultery with Monica Lewinsky, Ensign called on him to resign. Ensign said, "He has no credibility left."{{Cite news |last=Batt |first=Tony |title=Ensign urges Clinton to quit |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 11, 1998 |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/1998/Sep-11-Fri-1998/news/8200206.html}}

In 2004, Ensign spoke on the Senate floor in favor of the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment, which would have barred states from recognizing same-sex marriage. Ensign said:

Marriage is the cornerstone on which our society was founded. For those who say that the Constitution is so sacred that we cannot or should not adopt the Federal Marriage Amendment, I would simply point out that marriage, and the sanctity of that institution, predates the American Constitution and the founding of our nation.{{cite press release |title=Ensign Defends Sanctity of Marriage on Senate Floor |publisher=ensign.senate.gov |date=July 13, 2004 |url=http://ensign.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Media.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=f9bddfd1-c3eb-4551-9257-da9b945e42eb&Region_id=&Issue_id=7fb85906-844e-4cb4-b113-82f3ca2ccba4 |access-date=June 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315045121/http://ensign.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Media.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=f9bddfd1-c3eb-4551-9257-da9b945e42eb&Region_id=&Issue_id=7fb85906-844e-4cb4-b113-82f3ca2ccba4 |archive-date=March 15, 2011 |url-status=dead}}

In 2011, Ensign introduced legislation that would have required all low-security prisoners to work 50 hours per week.{{cite news |title=Enlisting Prison Labor to Close Budget Caps |first=Robbie |last=Brown |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/25/us/25inmates.html?_r=2&hp |newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 24, 2011 |access-date=February 26, 2011}}

In April 2008 Ensign voted against a measure to expand federal benefits to Filipino veterans in the Philippines, then a U.S. Commonwealth, against Japan during World War II. He said he thought benefits should be used for veterans in the United States. The measure passed Congress.

Ensign voted in support of authorizing the President to use the United States Armed Forces to "deter and prevent acts of international terrorism against the United States." This is the authorizing legislation for the invasion of Afghanistan and removing the Taliban from power.[https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=1&vote=00281 Senate roll call vote on passage of S.J. Res. 23, September 14, 2001 (107th Congress, 1st Session)].

Ensign also voted in support of the President to use the United States Armed Forces "as he determines to be necessary and appropriate" in order to "defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions regarding Iraq."[https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=2&vote=00237 Senate roll call vote on passage of H.J.Res. 114, October 11, 2002 (107th Congress, 2nd Session)]. Ensign supported the counterinsurgency policy in Iraq in 2007 and opposed withdrawing troops from Iraq in 2007 and 2008.

According to The New York Times, during college at Colorado State, Ensign became a born-again Christian. He and his now ex-wife, Darlene, were active in the Promise Keepers, an evangelical group. He and his ex-wife have three children. In 2019, the couple were reported to have divorced after 31 years of marriage. {{cite web | url=https://rollcall.com/2019/07/22/remember-john-ensign-he-just-got-divorced-from-wife-of-three-decades/ | title=Remember John Ensign? He just got divorced from wife of three decades | date=July 22, 2019 }}

Ensign is a member of the Pentecostal International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. During his Senate tenure, he was the only Pentecostal in the Senate. While working in Washington, DC, he resided at the C Street Center, a religious house in the capital.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/25/AR2009062504480.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=Politicians' Scandals Elevate the Profile of a Spiritual Haven on C Street SE |first=Manuel |last=Roig-Franzia |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=May 6, 2010}} Ensign moved out of the C Street house in November 2009, after disclosure of an extramarital affair and reports that he influenced others to keep quiet about it.{{cite web |last=Hinz |first=Janet |url=http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/11/09/john-ensign-moves-out-of-infamous-c-street-house/ |title=John Ensign Moves Out of Storied C Street House |publisher=Politicsdaily.com |access-date=August 29, 2010 |archive-date=November 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112080721/http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/11/09/john-ensign-moves-out-of-infamous-c-street-house |url-status=dead }}

When in Las Vegas he attends a northwest Foursquare church.{{cite web |last=Morrison |first=Jane Ann |title=Race opens for Bernstein, Ensign |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/cgi-bin/printable.cgi?/lvrj_home/2000/Mar-19-Sun-2000/news/13169727.html |date=March 19, 2000 |work=Las-Vegas Review Journal |access-date=June 17, 2009}} He is a member of the religious and political organization The Fellowship, described by evangelical Christians as one of the most politically well-connected fundamentalist organizations in the United States.{{cite web |first=Emily |last=Belz |author2=Pitts, Edward Lee |title=All in the Family |url=http://www.worldmag.com/articles/15778 |publisher=World Magazine |date=August 29, 2009 |access-date=August 14, 2009}}{{cite book |first=Jeff |last=Sharlet |title=The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-06-055979-3 |page=[https://archive.org/details/familysecretfund00shar_0/page/18 18] }}

{{Main|John Ensign scandal}}

Between 2007 and 2008, Senator Ensign had an affair with Cynthia Hampton, who worked for a PAC supporting his campaigns. Her husband, Doug Hampton, was a close friend of Ensign and worked as a top administrative staffer in his Washington, DC office. Sen. Tom Coburn, with Timothy and David Coe, leaders of The Fellowship, attempted to intervene to end Ensign's affair in February 2008 by convincing Ensign to write a letter to Hampton's wife breaking off the affair.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/25/AR2009062504480.html |title=The Political Enclave That Dare Not Speak Its Name: The Sanford and Ensign Scandals Open a Door On Previously Secretive 'C Street' Spiritual Haven |author=Roig-Franzia, Manuel |date=June 25, 2009 |access-date=July 18, 2009 |newspaper=The Washington Post }}{{cite web|last=Thrush|first=Glenn|date=July 8, 2009|title=Ensign "letter" to mistress: I used you for "pleasure"|url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2009/07/ensign-letter-to-mistress-i-used-you-for-pleasure-019659|publisher=Politico|access-date=July 20, 2009}}{{cite web|last=Maddow|first=Rachel|title=The Rachael Maddow Show|date=July 10, 2009|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna31890176|publisher=NBC News|access-date=March 18, 2010}} Ensign was chaperoned by Coburn and other members from C Street, where Ensign lived with Coburn, to a FedEx office to post the letter. Ensign called Hampton's wife hours later to tell her to ignore the letter and flew out to spend the weekend with her in Nevada.

The disclosure of the affair—together with Ensign's efforts to keep it quiet, including finding work for Doug Hampton as a lobbyist—resulted in investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Election Commission, and the Senate. The alleged misconduct included a $96,000 payment from Ensign's parents, which Doug Hampton claimed was an unreported severance payment;{{cite web|last=McFadden|first=Cynthia|author2=Arons, Melinda |author3=Sher, Lauren |date=November 23, 2009|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/doug-hampton-speaks-sen-john-ensigns-affair-ethic/story?id=9140788|title=Exclusive: Doug Hampton Speaks Out on Sen. Ensign's Affair With His Wife|publisher=ABC News|access-date=December 5, 2009}} Hampton obtaining a job as a lobbyist at Ensign's behest; Ensign helping Hampton in his role as a lobbyist in violation of a one-year lobbying ban on ex-Senate staffers; and Hampton's additional charge that Ensign sexually harassed his wife.{{Cite web |url=http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/node/2114 |title=Ethics panel gets complaints on Ensign. |access-date=October 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725210105/http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/node/2114 |archive-date=July 25, 2011 |url-status=dead}}

On March 7, 2011, Ensign announced that he would not seek re-election to the Senate the following year because he wished to shield his family from the consequences of his past behavior. In late April 2011, Ensign announced that he would resign his position as Senator on May 3.{{cite news |url= https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=13436582 |title= Timing of Sen. Ensign Resignation Raises Questions |author= Cristina Silva |date=April 22, 2011 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=May 14, 2011}} In May 2011, the Senate Ethics Committee referred its report to the Department of Justice for investigation of possible violations of law.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/ethics-committee-to-unveil-ensign-probe-findings-in-senate-speeches/2011/05/12/AFhRvA0G_story.html |title=Ethics Probe To Unveil Ensign Probe Findings In Senate Speeches |date=May 12, 2011 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 12, 2011 |first1=Paul |last1=Kane |first2=Carol D. |last2=Leonnig}} The Department of Justice found evidence of potential criminality but decided against prosecuting Ensign.[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/30/us/politics/documents-reveal-details-of-fbi-investigation-into-disgraced-senator-john-ensign.html?_r=0 ERIC LICHTBLAU, "Documents Reveal Details of F.B.I. Inquiry Into Nevada Senator"], The New York Times, December 29, 2014, accessed October 20, 2015

In 2019, John Ensign and his wife were reported to have divorced after 31 years of marriage. {{cite web | url=https://rollcall.com/2019/07/22/remember-john-ensign-he-just-got-divorced-from-wife-of-three-decades/ | title=Remember John Ensign? He just got divorced from wife of three decades | date=July 22, 2019 }}

! Year

!

! Democrat

! Votes

! Pct

!

! Republican

! Votes

! Pct

!

! 3rd Party

! Party

! Votes

! Pct

!

! 3rd Party

! Party

! Votes

! Pct

!

! 3rd Party

! Party

! Votes

! Pct

!

|-

|1994

|

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|James Bilbray}}

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |72,333

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |48%

|

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|John Ensign}}

|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |73,769

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |48%

|

|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Gary Wood

|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Libertarian

|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |6,065

|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |4%

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|-

|1996

|

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Bob Coffin

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |75,081

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |44%

|

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |John Ensign (incumbent)

|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |86,472

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |50%

|

|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Ted Gunderson

|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Independent American

|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |4,572

|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |3%

|

|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |James Dan

|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Libertarian

|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |3,341

|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |2%

|

|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Richard Eidson

|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Natural Law

|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |3,127

|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |2%

|

|-

|}

*Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 2000, Independent American candidate Ernie Berghof received 2,540 votes; Citizens First candidate Bill Grutzmacher received 1,579 votes; No Vote Cast received 457 votes; and Over Vote received 69 votes.

** Nevada law since 1975 allows dissatisfied voters to vote for "None of These Candidates."

• List of federal political sex scandals in the United States
• List of federal political scandals in the United States
• List of Asian Americans and Pacific Islands Americans in the United States Congress
• List of United States senators expelled or censured

{{Reflist}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• [https://www.bocaparkanimalhospital.com/about-us/staff/dr-john-ensign Dr. John Ensign] official Boca Park Animal Hospital page
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060911155843/http://www.johnensign.org/ John Ensign for Senate] official campaign website
• {{C-SPAN|8042}}
• {{CongLinks |congbio=e000194 |votesmart=22139 |fec=S8NV00073 |congress= }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100222010956/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/news/john-ensign/ Collected news stories, blogs and videos] from the Las Vegas Sun
• [https://archive.library.unr.edu/public/repositories/2/resources/654 A Guide to the John Ensign U.S. Senatorial Papers, 2013-11] (collection is closed for research until May, 2021), Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Reno.

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|us-hs}}

{{s-bef|before=James Bilbray}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Nevada's 1st congressional district|years=1995–1999}}

{{s-aft|after=Shelley Berkley}}

|-

{{s-ppo}}

{{s-bef|before=Demar Dahl}}

{{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Nevada
(Class 3)|years=1998}}

{{s-aft|after=Richard Ziser}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Hal Furman}}

{{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Nevada
(Class 1)|years=2000, 2006}}

{{s-aft|after=Dean Heller}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Elizabeth Dole}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee|years=2007–2009}}

{{s-aft|after=John Cornyn}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Kay Bailey Hutchison}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee|years=2009}}

{{s-aft|after=John Thune}}

|-

{{s-par|us-sen}}

{{s-bef|before=Richard Bryan}}

{{s-ttl|title=U.S. Senator (Class 3) from Nevada|years=2001–2011|alongside=Harry Reid}}

{{s-aft|after=Dean Heller}}

|-

{{s-prec|usa}}

{{s-bef|before=Al Franken|as=Former US Senator}}

{{s-ttl|title=Order of precedence of the United States|years=}}

{{s-aft|after=Dean Heller|as=Former US Senator}}

{{s-end}}

{{USSenNV}}

{{NRSC Chairs}}

{{NevadaUSRepresentatives}}

{{USCongRep-start | congresses= 104th–105th & 107th–112th United States Congresses | state=Nevada}}

{{USCongRep/NV/104}}

{{USCongRep/NV/105}}

{{USCongRep/NV/107}}

{{USCongRep/NV/108}}

{{USCongRep/NV/109}}

{{USCongRep/NV/110}}

{{USCongRep/NV/111}}

{{USCongRep/NV/112}}

{{USCongRep-end}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ensign, John}}

Category:1958 births

Category:21st-century evangelicals

Category:20th-century members of the United States House of Representatives

Category:21st-century United States senators

Category:21st-century Nevada politicians

Category:American adoptees

Category:American evangelicals

Category:American Pentecostals

Category:American people of Filipino descent

Category:American people of German descent

Category:American people of Italian descent

Category:American veterinarians

Category:Asian conservatism in the United States

Category:Businesspeople in the casino industry

Category:Colorado State University alumni

Category:Living people

Category:Members of the Foursquare Church

Category:Members of the United States Congress of Filipino descent

Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives of Asian descent

Category:Oregon State University alumni

Category:People from Roseville, California

Category:Politicians from Sacramento, California

Category:Promise Keepers

Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Nevada

Category:Republican Party United States senators from Nevada

Category:United States senators of Asian descent

Category:University of Nevada, Las Vegas alumni