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Current Issue Links
Ashburn scandal draws national attention
On Thursday rumors surfaced that before his arrest the senator was leaving Faces, a gay nightclub, and that
he had an “unidentified young man” in the passenger seat at the time. By then the story had drawn national
attention, particularly among those who pointed to the seeming hypocrisy between his socially conservative
stance and his lifestyle.
Then on Monday Ashburn confirmed his homosexuality during an interview with conservative Bakersfield
radio host Inga Barks.
“Through my own actions I have made my personal life public. I owe an explanation to my constituents and
those who have been kind to me all these years,” said Ashburn.
“I am gay. And those are the words that have been so difficult for me for so long.”
Barks called many other radio journalists to task for the “immaturity and recklessness” with which they have
reported on the issue.
However, she agreed that Ashburn must be held accountable to those he represents publicly.
He said that he regretted that his actions exposed his private life. “I felt with my heart that being gay did not
affect, would not affect, how I do my job.”
Barks further pointed to the contradictory nature of Ashburn’s lifestyle and his political stance. “My votes
reflect the wishes of the people in my district,” he said. He sidestepped the question of whether or not he agreed
with those votes.
In response to what he hoped people did with the new information, he answered, “I would ask people to pray
for me.”
Ashburn left his radio show earlier this year when he announced that he was going to seek election for the
Democrat-held seat in his congressional district. He said he is no longer going to pursue the seat and admitted
to Barks that the issue of his homosexuality was a driving factor in his decision.
He said he hopes to finish out his last term “with as much dignity and honor as I can.”
he had an “unidentified young man” in the passenger seat at the time. By then the story had drawn national
attention, particularly among those who pointed to the seeming hypocrisy between his socially conservative
stance and his lifestyle.
Then on Monday Ashburn confirmed his homosexuality during an interview with conservative Bakersfield
radio host Inga Barks.
“Through my own actions I have made my personal life public. I owe an explanation to my constituents and
those who have been kind to me all these years,” said Ashburn.
“I am gay. And those are the words that have been so difficult for me for so long.”
Barks called many other radio journalists to task for the “immaturity and recklessness” with which they have
reported on the issue.
However, she agreed that Ashburn must be held accountable to those he represents publicly.
He said that he regretted that his actions exposed his private life. “I felt with my heart that being gay did not
affect, would not affect, how I do my job.”
Barks further pointed to the contradictory nature of Ashburn’s lifestyle and his political stance. “My votes
reflect the wishes of the people in my district,” he said. He sidestepped the question of whether or not he agreed
with those votes.
In response to what he hoped people did with the new information, he answered, “I would ask people to pray
for me.”
Ashburn left his radio show earlier this year when he announced that he was going to seek election for the
Democrat-held seat in his congressional district. He said he is no longer going to pursue the seat and admitted
to Barks that the issue of his homosexuality was a driving factor in his decision.
He said he hopes to finish out his last term “with as much dignity and honor as I can.”
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| State Sen. Roy Ashburn |
By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
Critics across the state and country zeroed in on state Sen. Roy
Ashburn after his arrest last week for driving under the influence led to
leaked information of his presence at a gay bar, and ultimately his
revelation that he is gay.
The admission from the now-divorced father of four who is famous for
his socially conservative platform and voting record shocked many of his
constituents. However some of his Republican counterparts at various
levels of government admit that Ashburn’s lifestyle has been the subject
of quiet conjecture in the years since his divorce in 2002.
They are equally quick to point out that since the senator has termed
out of both houses in the state legislature and is not expected to seek
election at the national level, Ashburn’s political relevance is a moot point.
The story broke last Wednesday morning, drawing local and state
attention. California Highway Patrol reported his arrest for driving near the
state capitol at 2 a.m. in his state vehicle — with a blood-alcohol level of .
14. Officers stated that Ashburn had been very cooperative, and the
senator issued a statement apologizing to his family, friends, constituents
and colleagues.
Ashburn after his arrest last week for driving under the influence led to
leaked information of his presence at a gay bar, and ultimately his
revelation that he is gay.
The admission from the now-divorced father of four who is famous for
his socially conservative platform and voting record shocked many of his
constituents. However some of his Republican counterparts at various
levels of government admit that Ashburn’s lifestyle has been the subject
of quiet conjecture in the years since his divorce in 2002.
They are equally quick to point out that since the senator has termed
out of both houses in the state legislature and is not expected to seek
election at the national level, Ashburn’s political relevance is a moot point.
The story broke last Wednesday morning, drawing local and state
attention. California Highway Patrol reported his arrest for driving near the
state capitol at 2 a.m. in his state vehicle — with a blood-alcohol level of .
14. Officers stated that Ashburn had been very cooperative, and the
senator issued a statement apologizing to his family, friends, constituents
and colleagues.