Ensign Announces Resignation From Senate
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Two-term Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., has announced he is resigning from the Senate, effective May 3rd.
"While I stand behind my firm belief that I have not violated any law, rule, or standard of conduct of the Senate, and I have fought to prove this publicly, I 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," Ensign said in a statement. "For my family and me, this continued personal cost is simply too great."
The Nevada Republican already announced in March that he would not seek re-election in 2012 at an emotional news conference in his home state with his wife at his side, saying "there are consequences to sin."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ensign had an affair with the wife of his top staffer, Doug Hampton, who resigned shortly afterward.
GOP sources said a Senate Ethics Committee investigation into the matter and Hampton's subsequent employment, possibly at the behest of the senator, was drawing to a close. The early departure could keep any committee report from being made public.
The senator's resignation was first reported by veteran Nevada political reporter John Ralston.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, a Republican, would appoint Ensign's replacement, a move that could elevate the current GOP candidate to replace Ensign, Rep. Dean Heller.