| | '''John Eric Ensign''', born 25 March 1958 (age {{age|1958|3|25}}), is the junior [[United States]] Senator from [[Nevada]], serving since January 2001. He is a member of the [[Republican Party]], chairman of the [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]]. Throughout his career Ensign has fought for smaller, more effective government, lower taxes, a strong national defense and aggressive approach to combating terrorists, increased parental control in education choices, and quality health care for Nevada's seniors and veterans. | | '''John Eric Ensign''', born 25 March 1958 (age {{age|1958|3|25}}), is the junior [[United States]] Senator from [[Nevada]], serving since January 2001. He is a member of the [[Republican Party]], chairman of the [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]]. Throughout his career Ensign has fought for smaller, more effective government, lower taxes, a strong national defense and aggressive approach to combating terrorists, increased parental control in education choices, and quality health care for Nevada's seniors and veterans. |
| − | A veterinarian by profession, Senator Ensign is up for reelection in 2012.<ref>http://www.whorunsgov.com/Profiles/John_Ensign</ref> | + | A veterinarian by profession, Senator Ensign is up for reelection in 2012.<ref>[http://www.whorunsgov.com/Profiles/John_Ensign Profile: John Ensign]</ref> |
| | + | Ensign has acknowledged an extramarital affair with a campaign staffer. "I deeply regret and am very sorry for my actions," said Ensign. The liaison, which was with a woman who worked for both Ensign's re-election campaign and his political action committee, began in December 2007 and ended in August 2008. Ensign's wife, Darlene, said that the couple's "marriage has become stronger" and added: "I love my husband." <ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/16/AR2009061602746.html Washington Post: Ensign Acknowledges Affair]</ref> |