So much for the Ensign 2012 bandwagon.

Rumors have floated in Washington about a sex scandal breaking today. Now AP is reporting that Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) had an affair with a campaign staffer.

Ensign told The Associated Press in a statement, "I deeply regret and am very sorry for my actions."

An aide in Ensign's office said the affair took place between December 2007 and August 2008, with a campaign staffer who was married to an employee in Ensign's Senate office. Neither have worked for the senator since May 2008. The aide spoke on condition of anonymity.

The aide declined to comment on Ensign's political future.

Ensign recently traveled to Iowa in a visit that immediately set off speculation he was considering a presidential bid in 2012.

This comes as Nevada's only other Republican statewide officials are also fending off scandal. Gov. Jim Gibbons is currently going through a divorce, with his estranged wife alleging he was unfaithful as well. In December 2008, Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki was indicted on four felony counts based on alleged wrongdoing in his previous role as the Silver State's treasurer.

Developing...

UPDATE: You can read Ensign's full statement over at Politics Nation.