Ruby Rippey writes essay on affair with Gavin Newsom: 'For my former boss, it is a footnote in a longer arc of ascent.'

Ruby Rippey, a former staffer, has opened up about her affair with Gavin Newsom in a recent essay, revealing the emotional turmoil it caused her. She described the relationship as a significant fracture in her life, contrasting it with Newsom's view of it as a mere footnote in his political journey.¹²⁴

Rippey stated, "For my former boss, it is a footnote in a longer arc of ascent. For me, it is the fracture that split my life into before and after." Newsom has not denied the affair, which he referred to in his memoir as "the briefest of affairs." Rippey left her job and sought rehabilitation following the incident, indicating the profound impact it had on her life.³⁵

During this challenging time, she received advice from then-District Attorney Kamala Harris, who suggested she take a pause amidst the pressure to speak out. Rippey reflected on this guidance, stating, "It turns out to be the best advice I receive. I am newly sober and still inside the wreckage – unable to make sense of anything, let alone speak clearly about it." This essay sheds light on the personal consequences of political relationships and the differing perspectives on their significance.⁷