Ruby Rippey’s Account of Her Affair with Gavin Newsom and Advice From Kamala Harris

In a revealing piece in Vanity Fair, Ruby Rippey detailed her affair with then-Mayor Gavin Newsom, describing the incident step-by-step and highlighting advice she received from Kamala Harris. At the time of the affair, Rippey was married to Newsom’s campaign manager, Alex Tourk, and served as the mayor’s appointments secretary. The scandal emerged in 2007, and Harris, then San Francisco District Attorney, privately advised Rippey to stay silent.

“She listens, then says simply: ‘I wouldn’t say anything right now, Ruby. Just pause. More time will give you better perspective,’” Rippey recalls Harris advising.

Rippey’s account also touches on her struggles with alcoholism, her marriage breakdown, and her path to sobriety. She questions the narrative presented in Newsom’s memoir, which claims he confessed the affair to her husband, contradicting her claim that she had already disclosed it. When she asked a Newsom advisor about the truthfulness of the memoir, the response was, “Well, we all remember things differently, don’t we, Ruby?”

The essay describes how the affair began at City Hall, including intimate moments in a hot tub, hotel rooms, and Newsom’s penthouse. Rippey recounts an incident with Newsom, stretching her legs in his town car while he massaged her foot, symbolic of their secret relationship. These encounters continued for months, fueled by Rippey’s addiction and the allure of power.

During a meeting at a Mexican restaurant, Newsom complimented Rippey’s post-pregnancy appearance, saying, “Hey — you look really good … You’ve lost all your pregnancy weight.” Over time, Rippey recognized how the power imbalance may have contributed to the affair, acknowledging that power requires no coercion.

Rippey eventually confessed the affair to her husband via email, leading to a confrontation with Newsom and Tourk’s resignation. The affair became public soon after, with Newsom admitting the affair at a press conference in 2007 and seeking treatment for alcohol abuse.

Fox News Digital sought comments from Newsom’s and Harris’ teams but did not receive an immediate response. Madison Colombo, part of Fox News Digital’s Flash, Media, and Culture team, covers breaking news and trending topics.