Former Sen. Pete Domenici of New Mexico revealed Wednesday that he fathered a child outside his marriage three decades ago with the daughter of another former senator.
Domenici, 80, a Republican who served six terms in the Senate before retiring in 2008, and the mother of the child each released statements to the Albuquerque Journal acknowledging Domenici’s fatherhood.
“I deeply regret this and am very sorry for my behavior,” Domenici said. “I hope New Mexicans will view that my accomplishments for my beloved state outweigh my personal transgression.”
The child, now grown, was identified as Adam Paul Laxalt, a lawyer in Las Vegas. His mother, Michelle Laxalt, is the daughter of Paul Laxalt, a Republican who represented Nevada in the Senate for 12 years before leaving in 1987.
Michelle Laxalt said in her statement: “One night’s mistake led to pregnancy more than 30 years ago.” She said that she raised the son as a single mother, and that Domenici had agreed to keep his fatherhood secret because of their connections to the Senate.
Domenici and Michelle Laxalt said they were releasing the information now because they thought someone else would shop it around to media outlets to damage Domenici’s reputation.
Her statement went on to say: “Recently information has come to me that this sacred situation might be twisted, re-written out of whole cloth, and shopped to press outlets large and small in a vicious attempt to smear, hurt and diminish Pete Domenici, an honorable man, his extraordinary wife, Nancy, and other innocents.”
Michelle Laxalt has been recognized as one of the most powerful lobbyists in Washington, and has appeared as a cable news pundit.
In an appearance on “Larry King Live” on CNN in March 2007, she defended Domenici during a discussion about U.S. attorneys who had been fired by President George W. Bush’s attorney general. One of the fired U.S. attorneys had suggested that Domenici improperly tried to influence his handling of an investigation.
Laxalt said that night: “You’re attacking the integrity of someone who has been in public service for his entire lifetime, at great sacrifice, supporting no fewer than eight children and with the many sacrifices and the many contributions Senator Domenici has made, not only to the country, but to New — the state of New Mexico.”
Domenici and his wife had eight children together. Domenici, reached at home Wednesday by The Associated Press, declined further comment. His statement said that his family has known for several months, and that he has “apologized as best I can” to his wife.
The website of Adam Paul Laxalt’s law firm identifies him as a former naval officer who served in Iraq.
Last week, another member of Congress, Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen, said that he learned only three years ago that he has a daughter, now 24. Cohen, a Democrat, made the revelation after reporters inquired about messages he was sending to the woman on Twitter during the State of the Union address.
Domenici was on Capitol Hill last week to introduce Jack Lew, President Barack Obama’s nominee for treasury secretary, at his confirmation hearing. The two worked together when Lew served as President Bill Clinton’s budget director and Domenici chaired the Senate Budget Committee.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
