John Ensign

Sen John Ensign official(2)

John Eric Ensign (born March 25, 1958) is an American veterinarian, businessman, and former politician. He served as a United States Senator from Nevada from January 3, 2001, to May 3, 2011, as a member of the Republican Party. Before his tenure in the Senate, Ensign was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Nevada's 1st congressional district from 1995 to 1999. His political career was marked by his conservative stance on various issues, including tax reform, health care, and abortion. However, it ended abruptly due to a high-profile scandal that led to his resignation.

Early Life and Education

John Ensign was born in Roseville, California, to a family involved in the casino business in Las Vegas, Nevada. He pursued higher education at Oregon State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in animal science. Ensign then obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University in 1985. After completing his education, Ensign moved back to Nevada, where he worked as a veterinarian and eventually entered the business sector.

Political Career

Ensign's political career began in the early 1990s when he ran for the United States House of Representatives. He won the election in 1994, becoming part of the "Republican Revolution" that saw the party gaining control of both the House and the Senate. During his time in the House, Ensign served on various committees and was known for his conservative views.

In 1998, Ensign made his first bid for the United States Senate but was narrowly defeated by incumbent Democrat Harry Reid. However, he was successful in his second attempt in 2000, when he won the seat vacated by retiring Senator Richard Bryan. As a Senator, Ensign focused on issues such as tax cuts, healthcare reform, and the promotion of renewable energy. He was also a member of the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Scandal and Resignation

In 2009, Ensign publicly admitted to an extramarital affair with a campaign staffer, which led to a series of investigations by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and the Senate Ethics Committee. The investigations revealed that Ensign had made payments to the staffer and her husband, which were alleged to be hush money. The scandal garnered significant media attention and led to calls for his resignation from both the public and some of his colleagues in the Senate.

On April 21, 2011, Ensign announced that he would resign from the Senate effective May 3, 2011, citing the toll the investigations were taking on his family and his effectiveness as a Senator.

Life After Politics

Following his resignation, Ensign returned to Nevada, where he has kept a low profile. He returned to his veterinary practice and has been involved in various business ventures. Despite his departure from politics, Ensign's career remains a topic of interest, particularly in discussions about political ethics and the impact of personal conduct on public service.