Ensign: Resignation would take away resources from defeating Harry Reid

Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) rebuffed calls for his resignation, despite growing concerns that he may have violated congressional ethics rules in connection with his recently unearthed affair.

The senator, who will finish his term in 2012, claimed his absence would "split the resources" available to the party and hamper the GOP's ability to unseat fellow Nevadan, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D), in 2010.

"I was elected to a six-year term by the people of Nevada, and I intend on serving that out," Ensign told a local radio station Monday morning, describing the affair he admitted to this June as "a huge mistake ... a terrible thing."

"A lot of people running for office next year, I've met them, and they want me to be involved in their campaigns," the senator added, championing what he said were his conservative credentials on fiscal policy and healthcare reform.

But a brief conversation about those two issues again brought Ensign and his interviewer back to discussing the 2010 election, at which point Ensign set his sights on Reid, who seems to be lagging recently in preliminary polls.

"One of the things people forget, if I resign, we have a second Senate race. For the people who want to beat Harry Reid, if you have a second Senate race in this state you take the attention off of Harry Reid," Ensign said, noting his departure would eventually trigger a special election to fill his seat. "I think that would hurt the conservative cause." 

It has nonetheless been a rough few months for Ensign, who has fought back numerous allegations that he violated congressional ethics rules in an attempt to downplay his 2008 affair with Cindy Hampton. At issue is whether the senator wrongfully helped her husband, Doug, solicit employment in exchange for his silence.

Doug Hampton, however, eventually took the story to Fox News, which prompted Ensign to pre-empt the news with his own admission of the affair.

The furor over Ensign's tryst has somewhat died down, and the senator said Monday he and his wife had reconciled and moved on. But lingering are the ethics charges that Ensign promptly dismissed during his interview.

"It's perfectly legal," he said of his behavior, adding he would supply investigators with all necessary information. "I complied with all Senate ethics rules and applicable laws.”