Ruby Rippey, the woman involved in a scandalous affair with then-Mayor Gavin Newsom in 2007, offers a first-hand account of the event in Vanity Fair. This revelation includes insights into the guidance provided by Kamala Harris, who was then the San Francisco District Attorney.

Rippey, married to Newsom’s campaign manager Alex Tourk and serving as Newsom’s appointments secretary, reveals Harris advised her to maintain silence as the scandal began. According to Rippey, Harris suggested, “I wouldn’t say anything right now, Ruby. Just pause. More time will give you better perspective.”

The essay outlines Rippey’s struggles with alcoholism, the collapse of her marriage, and her journey to sobriety. Rippey criticizes Newsom’s memoir for inaccurately asserting that he confessed to her husband. She recounts asking a Newsom advisor about the truthfulness of his account, to which he ambiguously replied, “Well, we all remember things differently, don’t we, Ruby?”

Beginning at City Hall, the affair included intimate encounters like hot tub meetings, nights in hotel rooms, and visits to a penthouse in Russian Hill. Rippey recalls moments such as being in the back of a car where Newsom massaged her foot, symbolizing the allure of power and visibility she experienced.

Rippey’s realization of a possible power imbalance in the relationship came years later. She noted that “power does not need to coerce. It only needs to exist.” Her decision to confess to her husband via email led to Tourk confronting Newsom and resigning. The public scandal followed, with Newsom admitting to the affair and announcing plans for alcohol abuse treatment.

While Newsom and Harris’ teams have not responded to requests for comment, Rippey’s account remains a detailed narrative of personal and political complexities.