As whispers grow about California Governor Gavin Newsom’s potential 2028 presidential run, a scandal from his past is reentering the spotlight. In 2007, while mayor of San Francisco, Newsom admitted to having an affair with Ruby Rippey Gibney — the wife of his then-campaign manager and close friend, Alex Tourk. The fallout was swift: Tourk resigned, the media frenzy exploded, and Newsom issued a public apology, admitting he’d let both his friend and the people of San Francisco down.

While Newsom has since rebuilt his political career, becoming governor of the nation’s most populous state, the affair remains a lingering stain — especially as critics revisit it in the context of modern #MeToo scrutiny. Now, amid growing national attention, Newsom is also facing backlash over fiery remarks made during a recent podcast, where he appeared to endorse physical confrontation against Republicans. The combination of past and present controversies could complicate any presidential ambitions, as voters weigh both his political achievements and personal missteps.