John Ensign US Senator from Nevada

(Republican Party)

John Ensign

United States Senator

from Nevada
Incumbent
Assumed office 
January 3, 2001
Serving with Harry Reid
Preceded by
Richard H. Bryan
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Nevada's 1st district
In office
January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1999

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Preceded by
James Bilbray
Succeeded by
Shelley Berkley

Born
March 25, 1958 (age 53)
Roseville, California
Nationality
American
Political party
Republican
Spouse(s)
Darlene Ensign
Children
Trevor Ensign
Siena Ensign
Michael Ensign
Residence
Las Vegas, Nevada
Alma mater
Oregon State University (B.S.)
Colorado State University (D.V.M.)
Occupation
Veterinarian
Religion
International Church of the Foursquare Gospel
Signature

John Eric Ensign (born March 25, 1958) is the outgoing junior United States Senator from
Nevada, serving since January 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party and the former
chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee. Due to a continuing Senate ethics
committee investigation,[1] he announced that he will resign his seat effective May 3, 2011.[2]

Contents
[hide]
• 1 Early life, education, and early career
• 2 Political career
◦ 2.1 House of Representatives
◦ 2.2 U.S. Senate

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 • 3 Committee assignments
• 4 Political positions
◦ 4.1 Animal advocacy
◦ 4.2 Cuba
◦ 4.3 Eminent domain
◦ 4.4 Fiscal responsibility
◦ 4.5 Imprisonment
◦ 4.6 Marriage
◦ 4.7 Abortion
◦ 4.8 Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
◦ 4.9 Health Care Reform
◦ 4.10 Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy
• 5 Actions in the U.S. Senate
◦ 5.1 Chairmanship of National Republican Senatorial Committee
◦ 5.2 Electronic fund-raising reports
• 6 2006 re-election campaign
• 7 Personal life
◦ 7.1 Extramarital affair
• 8 Electoral history
• 9 See also
• 10 References
• 11 External links
[edit] Early life, education, and early career
Ensign was born in Roseville, California, to Sharon Lee Cipriani and a father whose surname
was Mueller; his maternal grandfather was of Italian descent.[3] Ensign says that he is one eighth
(1/8) Filipino American,[4][5] his Philippine-born paternal grandfather having been half-Filipino
and half-German.[6] Ensign's family moved to Nevada when he was a child. His mother
remarried Michael S. Ensign, a gaming industry executive who subsequently became chairman
of the board of directors of Mandalay Bay,[7] and who adopted John.

Ensign attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, becoming a member of the Sigma Chi
fraternity, and later graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in
1981. He went on to receive his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Colorado State
University in 1985 and entered veterinary practice soon after. He then became a successful
businessman, opening a 24-hour animal hospital in Las Vegas. He owned two animal hospitals
before entering politics.[8]

[edit] Political career

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[edit] House of Representatives

In 1994, Ensign won the Republican nomination for Nevada's 1st congressional district, based in
Las Vegas. He trailed four-term incumbent Democrat James Bilbray by a wide margin for most
of the campaign. However, Ensign gained considerable momentum after reports surfaced that a
Bilbray aide stood to make a huge profit from lands legislation sponsored by Bilbray.[9] Ensign
won by 1,400 votes. He was reelected in 1996 by seven points, even as Bill Clinton carried the
district by a large margin.[citation needed]

[edit] U.S. Senate

See also: United States Senate election in Nevada, 1998, 2000, 2006, and 2012
In 1998, Ensign ran for the Senate but was defeated by the Democratic incumbent, future Senate
Majority Leader Harry Reid, by 428 votes.[10]

Ensign won a Senate seat on his second try in 2000, defeating Democratic opponent Ed
Bernstein by a 55%–40% margin,[11] to succeed the retiring Democratic incumbent, Richard H.
Bryan. Ensign was reelected in 2006; he defeated businessman Jack Carter.

Ensign and Reid have developed a fairly good relationship, despite their bruising 1998 contest.
They frequently work together on Nevada issues.[12]

In 2009, Senator Ensign was named one of the 15 Most Corrupt Members of Congress by the
liberal watchdog organization Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.[13]

In April 2009, Ensign was planning a June 1 trip to Iowa, the first in his career, causing
speculation that he was mulling a presidential campaign in 2012.[14] Given the disclosure of his
extramarital affair in mid-June of that year, his presidential aspirations were put in limbo.[8]

On July 14, 2009, Ensign announced his plan to run for re-election to his Nevada Senate seat in
2012, even though his polling numbers had recently decreased.[15]

For Sharron Angle's debate with Harry Reid on October 14, 2010, Ensign played Reid during one
day of her debate preparation at the Trump Plaza in Las Vegas.[16] The Las Vegas Sun speculated
in November 2010 that this might hurt his relationship with Reid, who could "man up" and
oppose Ensign's re-election.[16] The Las Vegas Review-Journal also noted in November 2010,
that Ensign has multiple "hurdles" to re-election.[17]

On March 7, 2011, Ensign said he would not seek reelection in 2012 because he wanted to spare
his family from an "exceptionally ugly" campaign. "At this point in my life, I have to put my

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family first," Ensign told reporters at a news conference in Las Vegas. The announcement was
welcomed by national Republicans. Republicans have suggested he would not even have
survived a primary election.[18]

On April 21, 2011, Ensign announced his resignation from office effective May 3,[2] stating that
he "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."[1]

[edit] Committee assignments

• Committee on the Budget
• Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
◦ Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security
◦ Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet (Ranking
Member)
◦ Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure,
Safety, and Security
• Committee on Finance
◦ Subcommittee on Health Care
◦ Subcommittee on Taxation, IRS Oversight, and Long-Term Growth
◦ Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions and Family Policy
• Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
[edit] Political positions
[edit] Animal advocacy

Ensign is considered one of the Humane Society's biggest allies in Congress.[19] Along with
Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wa.), Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Ca.), Senator
Ensign—a veterinarian—was a lead sponsor of the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement
Act, which makes it a felony to transport animals across state lines for the purpose of fighting.
According to a press release from Ensign's office, "Fifty states currently have laws against
dogfighting and forty-nine have laws against cockfighting. This bill complements these state
laws."[20]

[edit] Cuba

Senator Ensign is a member of the Congressional Cuba Democracy Caucus.

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[edit] Eminent domain

Ensign has become a leading voice against the Kelo v. New London Supreme Court ruling, and
introduced a bill that would blunt the effects of the ruling.[21] In Kelo, the Court ruled that local
governments could use eminent domain not just for public use but for any project that involves a
public purpose. Specifically, the Court permitted the City of New London, Connecticut, to force
a homeowner to sell her home for new development. The use of governmental condemnation for
a private purpose caused a backlash.

[edit] Fiscal responsibility

The conservative fiscal watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste awarded Ensign a
92% lifetime rating—the fourth highest Senator after Jim DeMint, Tom Coburn and Jon Kyl—as
of 2007.[22]

In 2005, Ensign introduced legislation to create a government waste commission called the
Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies. [23] The commission would
compile a list of what its members consider unnecessary, outdated, wasteful, or duplicative
discretionary programs, and require Congress to vote up-or-down to eliminate all programs on
the list. The process is much like the BRAC process Congress uses to close military bases.

[edit] Imprisonment

In 2011, Ensign introduced legislation a bill in January that required all low-security prisoners to
work 50 hours a week.[24]

[edit] Marriage

In 1998, after President Bill Clinton admitted to having committed adultery with Monica
Lewinsky, Ensign called on him to resign saying, "He has no credibility left."[25]

In 2004, Ensign spoke on the Senate floor in favor of the proposed Federal Marriage
Amendment, which would have barred states from recognizing same-sex marriage. Ensign said:
{{quotation|Marriage is the cornerstone on which our society was founded. For those who say
that the Constitution is so sacred that we cannot or should not adopt the Federal Marriage
Amendment, I would simply point out that marriage, and the sanctity of that institution, predates
the American Constitution and the founding of our nation.[26]

[edit] Abortion

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Ensign considers himself pro-life, and both the National Right to Life Committee and NARAL
Pro-Choice America identify him as having a pro-life voting record.[27][28]

Ensign authored the Child Custody Protection Act in 2003 that prohibits taking minors across
State lines in circumvention of laws requiring the involvement of parents in abortion decisions.
[29]

[edit] Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq

Ensign voted in support of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists, which
authorized the President to use the United States Armed Forces to "deter and prevent acts of
international terrorism against the United States." This is the authorizing legislation for the
invasion of Afghanistan and removing the Taliban from power.[30]

Ensign also voted in support of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq
Resolution of 2002, which authorized the President to use the United States Armed Forces "as he
determines to be necessary and appropriate" in order to "defend the national security of the
United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and enforce all relevant United Nations
Security Council Resolutions regarding Iraq."[31]

Ensign supported the counterinsurgency policy in Iraq in 2007 and opposed withdrawing troops
from Iraq in 2007 and 2008.

[edit] Health Care Reform

Ensign opposed President Barack Obama's health reform legislation; he voted against the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act in December 2009,[32] and he voted against the Health Care
and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.[33]

[edit] Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy

On December 18, 2010, Ensign voted in favor of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010.
[34]

[edit] Actions in the U.S. Senate

[edit] Chairmanship of National Republican Senatorial Committee

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Ensign was elected Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). As
chairman of the NRSC, Ensign was charged with assembling a staff to win back the U.S. Senate
for Republicans in the 2008 elections. Ensign chose Mike Slanker and Lindsey Slanker of
Nevada based political consulting firm November Inc. to be the Political Director and Finance
Director of the NRSC.

Ensign often expressed pessimism about the upcoming election, stating that a good night for
Republicans would be the loss of just four seats.[35] The Republicans went on to lose eight US
Senate seats in the 2008 election.

[edit] Electronic fund-raising reports

In September 2007, it was discovered that Ensign had used the secret hold rule (a parliamentary
procedure within the Standing Rules of the Senate that allows one or more Senators to prevent a
motion from reaching a vote on the Senate floor) to prevent a bill requiring senators to file fund-
raising reports electronically from being voted upon without consideration on an amendment
from Ensign that would also strengthen disclosure rules.[36][verification needed] Ensign’s
amendment would force groups petitioning the Senate ethics committee to disclose the identity
of donors giving more than $5,000.[37]

[edit] 2006 re-election campaign

Main article: Nevada U.S. Senate election, 2006
Ensign faced Democrat Jack Carter, son of former President Jimmy Carter, in the November
general election. Both he and Carter defeated token opposition in their August 15, 2006
primaries. Ensign defeated Carter in the general election on November 7, 2006, 55% to 41%.[38]

[edit] Personal life

Ensign is a member of the Pentecostal International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, and is the
only Pentecostal in the Senate. He resided at the influential C Street religious house in
Washington, D.C.[39] Ensign moved out of the C Street house in November 2009, after
disclosure of an extramarital affair and reports that he used his influence to pressure several
parties to keep quiet about it.[40] When in Las Vegas he attends a northwest Foursquare church.
[41] According to The New York Times, during college at Colorado State, he became a born-again
Christian and he and his wife, Darlene, were active in the Promise Keepers, an evangelical
group.[8]

He and his wife have three children.

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He is a member of the religious and political organization The Fellowship, described by
prominent evangelical Christians as one of the most politically well-connected fundamentalist
organizations in the US.[42][43]

[edit] Extramarital affair

Main article: Hampton scandal

Senator John Ensign had an affair with Cynthia Hampton between 2007 and 2008. The outcome
of this event has led to an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Election
Commission, and the Senate. The continued Senatorial investigation was stated as a cause for his
resignation from the Senate.[44]

[edit] Electoral history

Nevada's 1st congressional district: Results 1994–1996[45]
Year

Democrat
Votes
Pct

Republican
Votes
Pct

3rd Party
Party
Votes
Pct

3rd Party
Party
Votes
Pct

3rd Party
Party
Votes
Pct

1994

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James H. Bilbray
72,333
48%

John Ensign
73,769
48%

Gary Wood
Libertarian
6,065
4%

1996

Bob Coffin
75,081
44%

John Ensign
86,472
50%

Ted Gunderson
Independent American
4,572
3%

James Dan
Libertarian
3,341
2%

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Richard Eidson
Natural Law
3,127
2%

Senate elections in Nevada: Results 1998–2006[45]

Year

Democrat
Votes
Pct

Republican
Votes
Pct

3rd Party
Party
Votes
Pct

3rd Party
Party
Votes
Pct

3rd Party
Votes
Pct

1998

Harry Reid
208,621
48%

John Ensign
208,220
48%

Michael Cloud
Libertarian

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 8,129
2%

Michael E. Williams
Natural Law
2,781
1%

None of these *
8,113
2%

2000

Ed Bernstein
238,260
40%

John Ensign
330,687
55%

Kathryn Rusco
Green
10,286
2%

J. J. Johnson
Libertarian
5,395
1%

None of these *
11,503
2%
*
2006

Jack Carter
238,796
41%

John Ensign

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 322,501
55%

David K. Schumann
Independent American
7,774
1%

Brendan Trainor
Libertarian
5,269
1%

None of these *
8,232
1%

*Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 2000, Independent American candidate Ernie Berghof
received 2,540 votes; Citizens First candidate Bill Grutzmacher received 1,579 votes; No Vote
Cast received 457 votes; and Over Vote received 69 votes.
** Nevada law since 1975 allows dissatisfied voters to vote for "None of These Candidates."

[edit] See also

• List of federal political sex scandals in the United States
• List of state and local political sex scandals in the United States
[edit] References
1. ^ a b "Nevada senator, facing ethics probe, says he'll resign". MSNBC. April 21, 2011.
Retrieved April 21, 2011.
2. ^ a b "Senator Ensign to Resign Amid Inquiry". The New York Times Caucus blog. April
21, 2011. Retrieved April 21, 2011.
3. ^ "Senators: Ensign". Ancestry.com. Retrieved June 17, 2009.
4. ^ Rafael, Dan (May 6, 2009). "My postfight sit-in with Pacquiao" (interview article).
ESPN.com:Boxing. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved May 11, 2009. ""Turns out Ensign
is a huge boxing fan and one-eighth Filipino, so he was excited to meet Pacquiao and
have him pose for a photo with him and his kids.""
5. ^ "Ensign Commemorates Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month". Retrieved June 17,
2009.

www.Zimvi.com
6. ^ Tony Batt (April 30, 2008). "Ensign stands firm on vote: Senator opposed Filipino
veterans benefits increase". Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
7. ^ Template:Cie news
8. ^ a b c Herszenhorn, David M. (June 16, 2009). "Senator Ensign Admits Extramarital
Affair". The New York Times Caucus blog. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
9. ^ Wasserman, David; Larry J. Sabato (October 5, 2006). "October Surprise! (And a
Leadership Demise?)". Crystal Ball. University of Virginia Center for Politics. Retrieved
June 22, 2009. "Nevada Rep. James Bilbray (D) was felled after it was revealed days
before the election that his aide stood to profit millions from lands legislation he had
sponsored"[dead link]
10. ^ Nevada Secretary of State – 1998 US Senate Recount Results
11. ^ Nevada Secretary of State – 2000 General Election Results
12. ^ Freking, Kevin (June 17, 2009). "Sen. Ensign admits affair with ex-campaign staffer".
The Guardian (London). Retrieved November 26, 2009.
13. ^ "Watchdog group adds Ensign to list - News - ReviewJournal.com". Lvrj.com.
September 16, 2009. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
14. ^ Cillizza, Chris (April 23, 2009). "John Ensign's Unapologetic Critique". Washington
Post The Fix Blog.
15. ^ Ball, Molly (July 19, 2009). "New poll reveals Ensign's status sinking, But most
Nevadans still say Republican senator should not resign". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Retrieved July 20, 2009.
16. ^ a b Ralston, Jon (November 17, 2010). "Ensign played Reid in Angle debate prep;
Angle once said dictators can have “good ideas”". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved November
18, 2010.
17. ^ Tetreault, Steve (November 17, 2010). "Ensign faces hurdles running for third Senate
term". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
18. ^ {{cite web |last1=Memoli |first1=Michael A. |coauthors=Lisa Mascaro and Ashley
Powers |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-ensign-
retire-20110308,0,2651430.story |title=Nevada GOP Sen. John Ensign won't seek
reelection |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 7, 2011 |accessdate=March 8, 2011.
19. ^ "Vegan in the Henhouse". Washingtonpost.com.
20. ^ "Ensign Applauds Passage of Animal Fighting Bill". April 11, 2007. Archived on April
22, 2011. Error: If you specify |archivedate=, you must also specify |
archiveurl=.
21. ^ "Kelo Anniversary Time to Take Action". June 22, 2006. Archived on April 22, 2011.
Error: If you specify |archivedate=, you must also specify |archiveurl=.
22. ^ 2007 Senate Ratings Final
23. ^ Riedl, Brian M. (October 26, 2005). "An Innovative and Bold Budget Proposal in the
Senate". The Heritage Foundation.

www.Zimvi.com
24. ^ Brown, Robbie (February 24, 2011). "Enlisting Prison Labor to Close Budget Caps".
New York Times. Retrieved February 26, 2011.
25. ^ Batt, Tony (September 11, 1998). "Ensign urges Clinton to quit". Las Vegas Review-
Journal.
26. ^ ensign.senate.gov (July 13, 2004). "Ensign Defends Sanctity of Marriage on Senate
Floor". Press release. Archived on April 22, 2011. Error: If you specify |
archivedate=, you must also specify |archiveurl=. Retrieved June 17, 2009.
27. ^ Federal Legislation – Legislative Action Center
28. ^ prochoiceamerica.org: Ensign Search Results
29. ^ H.R. 851
30. ^ Senate roll call vote on passage of S.J. Res. 23, September 14, 2001 (107th Congress,
1st Session).
31. ^ Senate roll call vote on passage of H.J.Res. 114, October 11, 2002 (107th Congress,
2nd Session).
32. ^ Senate roll call vote on passage of H.R. 3590, December 24, 2009 (111th Congress, 1st
Session).
33. ^ Senate roll call on passage of H.R. 4872, March 25, 2010 (111th Congress, Second
Session).
34. ^ "Senate passes ‘don’t ask,’ sends repeal to Obama". Tucsoncitizen.com. December 18,
2010. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
35. ^ Breshnahan, Josh (September 10, 2008). "GOP bristles at Ensign's 'truth'". Politico.
Retrieved June 17, 2009.
36. ^ "Let the Sun Shine In", New York Times, Sept. 27. 2007.
37. ^ {{cite news |title=Ensign vows to keep e-filing bill in limbo |work=The Hill |
date=September 28. 2007[verification needed]
38. ^ "NVSOS.GOV – Elections Results: 2006 Statewide General Election Coverage and
Reports". Nevada Secretary of State. November 7, 2006. Retrieved June 22, 2009.[dead
link]
39. ^ Roig-Franzia, Manuel (June 26, 2009). "Politicians' Scandals Elevate the Profile of a
Spiritual Haven on C Street SE". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 6, 2010.
40. ^ Hinz, Janet. "John Ensign Moves Out of Storied C Street House". Politicsdaily.com.
Retrieved August 29, 2010.
41. ^ Morrison, Jane Ann (March 19, 2000). "Race opens for Bernstein, Ensign". Las-Vegas
Review Journal. Retrieved June 17, 2009.
42. ^ Belz, Emily; Pitts, Edward Lee (August 29, 2009). "All in the Family". World
Magazine. Retrieved August 14, 2009.
43. ^ Sharlet, Jeff (2008). The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American
Power. HarperCollins. p. 18. ISBN 978-0-06-055979-3.
44. ^ Jennifer Cooper (21 April 2011). "ENSIGN TO RESIGN FROM OFFICE". Office of
John Ensign. United States Senate. Retrieved 22 April 2011.

www.Zimvi.com
 45. ^ a b "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Retrieved
August 8, 2007.
[edit] External links
• United States Senator John Ensign official U.S. Senate site
• John Ensign for Senate official campaign site
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Biography at WhoRunsGov.com at The Washington Post
• Congressional profile at GovTrack.us
• Congressional profile at OpenCongress
• Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
• Current Bills Sponsored at StateSurge.com
• Financial information at OpenSecrets.org
• Staff salaries, trips and personal finance at LegiStorm.com
• Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
• Appearances on C-SPAN programs
• Collected news and commentary at The New York Times
• Collected news stories, blogs and videos from the Las Vegas Sun
• Profile at SourceWatch
United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
James Bilbray
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Nevada's 1st congressional district
1995–1999
Succeeded by
Shelley Berkley
United States Senate
Preceded by
Richard Bryan
United States Senator (Class 1) from Nevada
2001 – present
Served alongside: Harry Reid
Succeeded by
TBD
Party political offices
Preceded by
Elizabeth Dole
Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee

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 2007–2009
Succeeded by
John Cornyn
Preceded by
Kay Bailey Hutchison
Chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee
2009
Succeeded by
John Thune
Preceded by
Demar Dahl
Republican Party nominee for U.S. Senator from Nevada (Class 3)
1998
Succeeded by
Richard Ziser
Preceded by
Hal Furman
Republican Party nominee for U.S. Senator from Nevada (Class 1)
2000, 2006
Succeeded by
most recent
United States order of precedence
Preceded by
Debbie Stabenow
D-Michigan
United States Senators by seniority
43rd
Succeeded by
Maria Cantwell
D-Washington
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v·d·e
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 [show]
v·d·e
Members of the United States House of Representatives from Nevada
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