Aides: John Ensign to resign Friday

Politico ^ | 4-21-2011 | MANU RAJU & JOHN BRESNAHAN

[Danae]

Nevada Sen. John Ensign (R) plans to announce Friday he will resign his Senate seat, aides said Thursday.

Ensign has been under investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee over whether he violated Senate rules during his affair with Cindy Hampton, a former campaign aide. Hampton’s husband, Doug Hampton, was Ensign’s deputy chief of staff during most of the extramarital relationship.

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[fieldmarshaldj]

You got that a bit confused. I was referring to Angle running for Heller’s House seat, since it is expected that Gov. Sandoval will name Heller to the Ensign vacancy. Heller was considered the odds-on favorite to succeed Ensign in ‘12, anyway, and this is one instance where giving him a leg-up as the incumbent should help. If I were Shelley Berkley at this point, I’d strongly reconsider changing my mind and refiling for another term in the House, since I can’t see her beating Heller statewide. It’ll be like Gibbons-Titus all over again in the ‘06 Guv race.

[Clintonfatigued]

My opinion is that Dean Heller will get the position. Republicans want him to have a leg up for reelection. Also, Heller’s record is acceptable and he’s in fact been more conservative than he’d been expected to be.

[Impy]

Heller will very probably get the appointment.

If Sandoval chooses to go with a caretaker, who knows. Not a lot of obvious choices. There are a couple former LT Governors, Lonnie Hammargren and Sue Wagner.

[Theodore R.]

There may be primaries in special House elections but are not necessarily called primaries, just called special elections. Most states require D-R competition in special elections.