John Ensign
United States Senator from Nevada
In office January 3, 2001 – May 3, 2011
Preceded by	Richard Bryan
Succeeded by	Dean Heller
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Nevada's 1st district
In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1999
Preceded by	James Bilbray
Succeeded by	Shelley Berkley
Personal details
Born	March 25, 1958 (age 54) Roseville, California
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Darlene Ensign
Children	Trevor Ensign Siena Ensign Michael Ensign
Residence	Las Vegas, Nevada
Alma mater	Oregon State University(B.S.) Colorado State University(D.V.M.)
Occupation	Veterinarian
Religion	Foursquare Church
Signature

John Eric Ensign (born March 25, 1958) is a former United States Senator from Nevada, serving from January 2001 until he resigned amid an investigation of an ethics violation in May 2011.[1] He is a member of the Republican Party and the former chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee.

Ensign renewed his practice as a veterinarian and works at West Flamingo Animal Hospital in Las Vegas.[2]

Early life, education, and early career
Ensign was born in Roseville, California, to Sharon Lee Cipriani, whose father was Italian; and a father whose surname was Mueller.[3] Ensign says that he is one eighth (1/8) Filipino,[4][5] as his Philippine-born paternal grandfather was half-Filipino and half-German.[6] His family moved to Nevada when he was a child. His mother remarried Michael S. Ensign, a gaming industry executive who subsequently became chairman of the board of directors of Mandalay Bay,[7]and who formally adopted John.

Ensign attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, becoming a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, and later graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1981. He went on to receive his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Colorado State University in 1985 and entered veterinary practice soon after. He became a successful businessman, opening a 24-hour animal hospital in Las Vegas. He owned two animal hospitals before entering politics.[8]

Political career

House of Representatives
In 1994, Ensign won the Republican nomination for Nevada's 1st congressional district, based in Las Vegas. He trailed four-term incumbent Democrat James Bilbray by a wide margin for most of the campaign. Ensign gained considerable momentum after reports surfaced that a Bilbray aide stood to make a huge profit from lands legislation sponsored by Bilbray.[9] Ensign won by 1,400 votes. He was reelected in 1996 by seven points, although the presidential candidate Bill Clinton carried the district by a large margin. It is often the case that votes for Congressional representatives are made differently than for presidential candidates.

U.S. Senate
See also: United States Senate election in Nevada, 1998, 2000, 2006, and 2012

In 1998, Ensign ran for the Senate but was defeated by the Democratic incumbent, future Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, by 428 votes.[10]

Ensign won a Senate seat on his second try in 2000, defeating Democratic opponent Ed Bernstein by a 55%–40% margin,[11] to succeed the retiring Democratic incumbent, Richard H. Bryan. Ensign was reelected in 2006; he defeated businessman Jack Carter.

Ensign and Reid developed a fairly good relationship, despite their bruising 1998 contest. They frequently worked together on Nevada issues

In April 2009, Ensign was planning a June 1 trip to Iowa, the first in his career, causing speculation that he was mulling a presidential campaign in 2012.[13] Given the disclosure of his extramarital affair in mid-June of that year, his presidential aspirations were put in limbo.[8]

On July 14, 2009, Ensign announced his plan to run for re-election to his Nevada Senate seat in 2012, even though his polling numbers had recently decreased.[14]

For Sharron Angle's debate with Harry Reid on October 14, 2010, Ensign played Reid during one day of her debate preparation at the Trump Plaza in Las Vegas.[15] The Las Vegas Sun speculated in November 2010 that this might hurt his relationship with Reid, who could "man up" and oppose Ensign's re-election.[15] The Las Vegas Review-Journal noted in November 2010 that Ensign has multiple "hurdles" to re-election.[16]

On March 7, 2011, Ensign said he would not seek reelection in 2012 because he wanted to spare his family from an "exceptionally ugly" campaign. "At this point in my life, I have to put my family first," Ensign told reporters at a news conference in Las Vegas. The announcement was welcomed by national Republicans. Republicans have suggested he would not have survived a primary election.[17]

On April 21, 2011, Ensign announced his resignation from office effective May 3,[1] stating that he "will not continue to subject my family, my constituents, or the Senate to any further rounds of investigation, depositions, drawn out proceedings, or especially public hearings."