Rielle Hunter

Rielle Hunter is a former campaign staffer of John Edwards. According to a National Enquirer report, she gave birth to Edwards' "love child". The former senator originally denied having an affair with Hunter, but in an August 2008 interview with ABC's Nightline, Edwards confessed to the relationship.^{1 2 3}

On August 13, 2008, the National Enquirer ran a story claiming Edwards' affair with Hunter resumed after he confessed the indiscretion to his wife, Elizabeth. The tabloid quotes a source as saying Hunter became pregnant "after the affair was rekindled."⁴

Fast Facts

1. Formerly known as Lisa Druck
2. Occupation: Filmmaker
3. Produced campaign films for Edward's presidential run
4. Reportedly paid $114,000 for her work on campaign videos for John Edwards⁵
5. Had an affair with John Edwards⁴
6. Gave birth to a baby girl, Frances Quinn Hunter, in February 2008⁶
7. August 2008: The National Enquirer claimed Edwards restarted his affair with Hunter after he confessed the relationship to his wife, Elizabeth Edwards⁴
8. The Enquirer described Hunter as "a drug-using New York party girl in the '80s"⁷

John Edwards Nightline

In an interview for ABC's Nightline, which aired on August 8, 2008, Edwards admitted that he had an affair with Hunter and lied about the relationship during his presidential campaign. However, Edwards denied that he was the father of Hunter's child, Frances Quinn Hunter, and stated his willingness to take a paternity test. Hunter has declined to participate in DNA testing, citing privacy concerns for herself and her daughter. Hunter made the statement through her lawyer, Robert Gordon, on August 9.³

Late Night Visit

On July 22, 2008, photographers from the National Enquirer reported that they had caught former Senator John Edwards visiting Hunter at the Beverly Hilton hotel on the evening of July 21. According to reports, Hunter had reserved two rooms at the hotel under the name of a friend, with whom she had traveled from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles.

Sources from the Enquirer say that one of the rooms was for the friend and Hunter's baby, Frances Quinn Hunter, and the other room was meant for Hunter and Edwards.² At 9:45pm, Edwards appeared at the hotel and entered from a side door. At 2:40am, the paper reported that he attempted to sneak out of the hotel.

Reporters from the Enquirer allegedly emerged and questioned Edwards who immediately ran up the stairs and into a nearby restroom. Security staff later escorted Edwards out of the hotel.²

Criminal Complaint

The two National Enquirer reporters, Alan Butterfield and Alexander Hitchen, filed a criminal complaint against the Beverly Hilton saying that, amongst other things, a security guard threatened to break their camera The two reporters were registered guests at the hotel. Edwards was not.⁸

Impact of Political Mistresses

Misstresses and alleged mistresses have played an unwitting role in American politics—but the repercussions of extramarital affairs have varied. Some of these relationships have ruined careers, while others have had little effect.

• Maria Halpin: During his 1884 campaign for president, Grover Cleveland admitted to an extramarital affair and "love child" with shop clerk Halpin. Cleveland won, despite his opponents' attacks over the matter. Career impact: Minor

• Marilyn Monroe: Monroe is alleged to have been one of many women involved with John F. Kennedy before and during his presidency. These rumors were not widespread until well after Kennedy's 1963 assassination. Career impact: Minor

• Donna Rice: Colorado Senator Gary Hart's 1988 presidential aspirations were quashed after photos emerged of his tryst with 29-year-old model Rice on a yacht called "Monkey Business." Career impact: Major

• Monica Lewinsky: Although it became a national obsession, Bill Clinton's dalliances with 21-year-old intern Lewinsky in 1995 did not materially effect his political career. Clinton was formally impeached by Congress, but served out his second term. Career impact: Minor

• Judith Nathan: While serving as mayor of New York City in the late 1990s, Rudy Giuliani began an affair with Nathan, a pharmaceuticals sales manager in her 40s. The pair later married. The Nathan affair was only one of many aspects of Giuliani's bio reported to have hurt him with conservatives in the 2008 Republican presidential primaries. Career impact: Moderate

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