Ensign resignation would benefit GOP

He could resign.

If the U.S. senator quit, Gov. Brian Sandoval could appoint Rep. Dean Heller as senator, giving Heller a huge advantage over any Democrat. Between now and November 2012, when Heller would have to run for a full six-year term, he’d get all the bennies that accompany incumbency. Heller would get more media exposure and have more clout. Fundraising is easier for an incumbent.

The U.S. Constitution requires House members to be elected. To fill Heller’s seat, Sandoval would have to call a special election within 180 days, but that election could piggyback on another election if one were near. There wouldn’t be a primary, so as many people who wish could be on the ballot. The winner would go to Congress.

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki is expected to announce his bid for Heller’s seat and would likely run in a special election, too.

But he wouldn’t be a surefire winner in a crowded field where Sharron Angle is already in the race for the 2nd Congressional seat.

But, if it all fell into place, the Republican governor could win the GOP trifecta by appointing Las Vegas businessman Steve Hill as lieutenant governor, a job he would be qualified to do and considered seeking in 2006. Sandoval recently appointed Hill to the Commission on Economic Development.

If only Ensign would resign.

Nevada historian Guy Rocha listened to my domino suggestion and said it would be unprecedented in the state.

“It’s possible, but somewhat improbable,” he said, because of the special election.

Sandoval wouldn’t have to appoint a Republican. But why wouldn’t he?

If Ensign had resigned the day he announced his affair with Doug Hampton’s wife, Nevada already would have a new senator. Then-Gov. Jim Gibbons could have appointed one. If Nevada Republicans hadn’t liked Gibbons’ choice they could have selected someone else. Maybe Gibbons would have gone with Heller.

If only Ensign had resigned.

Ensign hopes to rebuild his reputation — shattered June 16, 2009, when he revealed he betrayed his wife, Darlene, and his friend Doug Hampton, by starting an eight-month affair just before Christmas 2007 with Cindy Hampton. The Hamptons both worked for him and were family friends.

His real disgrace, more bothersome than the actual affair, was his effort to shut up the Hamptons and protect his image: The $96,000 his parents paid the Hampton family. Ensign’s efforts to help Doug Hampton find work after he dismissed him.

Hampton was indicted Thursday in Washington, D.C., on seven counts of violating ethics laws, each count involving an email sent within the one-year period after he left as Ensign’s administrative assistant. Lobbying laws restrict former Senate employees from lobbying their former bosses or colleagues for one year.

We know Hampton sent emails to Ensign’s office seeking help with clients when he was lobbying. During his relentless efforts to destroy his wife’s former lover, he provided them to the media. He also said Ensign encouraged and promoted his lobbying efforts. However, Ensign wasn’t charged.

If Hampton goes to trial, Ensign will have to testify, yet another spectacle in Ensign World.

There would be one plus for Ensign if he resigned. That would block the Senate Ethics Committee from taking any action again him.

Ensign says resigning would make him look guilty and insists he did nothing wrong. Well, except for the affair.

But if he resigned, Ensign could earn some serious good will with the GOP through the potential domino effect, even though circumstances would have to fall exactly right for the plan to succeed.

Jane Ann Morrison’s column appears Monday, Thursday and Saturday. E-mail her at Jane@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0275. She also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/morrison.