Ensign facing GOP pressure on affair

WASHINGTON, July 12 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., is facing a tough political future as revelations about a sexual affair keep coming out, state Republicans say.

"The longer it drags on, the more harmful it is to him," Nevada Assemblyman Lynn Stewart, the assistant state Republican leader told the Washington publication The Hill, which published his remarks Sunday. "I wish he'd have a press conference and get it all out there."

No prominent Nevada Republicans have publicly called for Ensign's resignation. However, The Hill said the host of a public affairs show on a Las Vegas TV station said many Nevada Republicans privately want Ensign to step down.

Ensign has acknowledged having an affair with a married member of his campaign staff, whose husband worked in the senator's office. Neither of them works for Ensign any longer but questions have arisen about severance Ensign paid the woman and $96,000 Ensign's parents paid the couple.