Reuters
Thursday, February 1, 2007; 5:03 PM

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom admitted on Thursday to having an affair with the wife of his former campaign manager, who quit a day earlier after confronting the up-and-coming Democrat known for advocating gay marriage.

"I am deeply sorry," Newsom told reporters, admitting the affair after the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Alex Tourk had resigned from Newsom's reelection campaign after his wife disclosed the romantic involvement.

Elected in 2003, the 39-year-old mayor, now single, is a photogenic politician who gained national fame in 2004 for ordering city clerks to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, defying a state law defining marriage as a union of a man and woman.

The courts shut down that process, although the city is still contesting it, and Newsom is seeking reelection in November.

Tourk's wife, 34-year-old Ruby Rippey-Tourk, disclosed the affair as part of therapy in a substance abuse program, said the Chronicle, citing anonymous sources.

Tourk resigned on Wednesday after confronting Newsom.

Rippey-Tourk served as Newsom's appointments secretary until last spring.

The Chronicle's story comes amid increased media scrutiny of the private life of Newsom, who had recently been dating a 20-year-old woman.

The affair with Rippey-Tourk happened about 1-1/2 years ago when Newsom was divorcing from then-wife Kimberly Guilfoyle, now a Fox News host, the Chronicle said.

Newsom's admission may be another drag on his political career if he seeks a higher office as many Democrats expect he will, said Allan Hoffenblum, publisher of the California Target Book, a publication that tracks state politics.

Newsom's advocacy of same-sex marriage already alienates many voters outside famously liberal San Francisco and an affair with a top aide's wife will test the tolerance of even live-and-let-live Californians, Hoffenblum said.

"It's the kind of baggage you don't want if you have higher ambitions," Hoffenblum said.