BREAKING: Nevada Senator John Ensign To Resign Tomorrow

He previously announced he wouldn't be seeking reelection at the end of his term due to an affair and subsequent cover up of payoffs. Now he's leaving tomorrow. (May 3rd seems to be the actual date)

Ensign, 53, began notifying Nevada friends of his intentions late Thursday. The senator has kept his distance from official GOP circles in Washington for months, but word quickly spread to GOP figures inside the Beltway who confirmed a report by Nevada politics watcher Jon Ralston of the Las Vegas Sun to NJ.

Ensign quickly put an end to the speculation, releasing a statement Thursday evening confirming the reports, and announcing that his retirement would be effective on May 3.

"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. "For my family and me, this continued personal cost is simply too great."

GOP Governor Brian Sandoval gets to appoint a replacement. Speculation seems to be he'll name Congressman Dean Heller who had already announced a run to replace Ensign.

Sharron Angle had previously announced plans to run for Heller's seat, so she's likely to run in the special election that will be announced to replace Heller. There are several other candidates for next year's primary but given her huge fundraising and name recognition advantages, there's a good chance we'll see Congresswoman Angle in the next few months.

posted by DrewM. at 07:01 PM

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