Updated: February 25, 2026
Gavin Newsom Campaign Manager Wife: Gavin Newsom has built a towering career—from innovative San Francisco mayor to California’s long-serving governor. But like many high-profile politicians, his path includes personal controversies that still spark curiosity. One of the most talked-about moments involves his affair with the wife of his campaign manager back in 2007. Let’s break down what happened, why it mattered, and where things stand today.
Table of Contents
The Key Players Involved
At the center of the story are three main figures:
- Gavin Newsom: Then-Mayor of San Francisco, fresh off his 2003 election win and navigating a divorce from Kimberly Guilfoyle.
- Alex Tourk: Newsom’s trusted deputy chief of staff turned re-election campaign manager. A close friend and key political ally.
- Ruby Rippey-Tourk (now Ruby Rippey Gibney): Tourk’s wife at the time. She worked as Newsom’s appointments secretary (handling commissions and appointments) from 2004 to 2006.
The affair occurred in late 2005, during a turbulent period for Newsom personally and professionally.
How the Affair Came to Light
The relationship surfaced dramatically in early 2007. Ruby Rippey-Tourk disclosed details during substance abuse therapy, which eventually reached the media. On January 31, 2007, Alex Tourk confronted Newsom and resigned from the campaign. The San Francisco Chronicle broke the story, forcing Newsom to address it publicly.
In a February 1, 2007, press conference, Newsom said:
“I am deeply sorry… I hurt someone I care deeply about, Alex Tourk, his friends and family, and that is something I have to live with.”
The scandal highlighted themes of trust, friendship betrayal, and the pressures of political life in the spotlight.
Timeline of Key Events
Here’s a clear overview of the major moments:
| Date/Event | Details |
|---|---|
| 2004–2006 | Ruby Rippey-Tourk serves as Newsom’s appointments secretary. |
| Late 2005 | Affair takes place while Newsom is divorcing Guilfoyle. |
| Early 2006 | Rippey-Tourk leaves her role in Newsom’s office. |
| January 31, 2007 | Alex Tourk confronts Newsom and resigns as campaign manager. |
| February 1, 2007 | Newsom holds press conference, admits affair, and apologizes publicly. |
| 2007 onward | Newsom continues as mayor (re-elected), later becomes Lt. Governor and Governor. |
| 2018 | Ruby Rippey Gibney speaks out briefly during Newsom’s gubernatorial run, reflecting on personal growth. |
| Present (2026) | Incident occasionally resurfaces in Newsom profiles or political discussions. |
This timeline shows how a private matter quickly became public and impacted careers.
Long-Term Impact and Reflections
The affair damaged relationships—Tourk and Rippey-Tourk’s marriage ended—and created a PR challenge for Newsom during his re-election bid. However, he weathered it, won re-election, and advanced his career. Newsom has since married Jennifer Siebel Newsom (in 2008), with whom he has four children, and focused on family and policy.
Ruby Rippey Gibney remarried (to Ryan Gibney) and has largely stayed out of the spotlight, occasionally sharing reflections on personal accountability and humility.
For Newsom, the episode became a lesson in vulnerability. In politics, personal missteps can linger, but strong performance and time often shift focus to achievements—like his handling of crises as governor or national advocacy.
Conclusion
The story of Gavin Newsom, his campaign manager Alex Tourk, and Tourk’s wife Ruby Rippey-Tourk remains one of those unforgettable chapters in California political history. It reminds us that even charismatic leaders face human failings, and public life leaves little room for privacy. Nearly two decades later, Newsom has moved forward, building a family and legacy, while the incident serves as a cautionary tale about trust and boundaries in high-stakes environments.
Whether viewed as ancient history or a defining moment, it adds depth to understanding the man behind the headlines. Politics is personal—and sometimes painfully so.