Alex Tourk

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Alex Tourk

Alex Tourk
Born February 28, 1971 (1971-02-28) (age 37)
Flag of the United States United States
Occupation Political consultant
Spouse Ruby Rippey-Tourk

Alex Tourk (born February 28, 1971) is a political consultant from San Francisco, California. He has worked as an aide to California Assembly member Lou Papan and San Francisco Mayors Willie Brown and Gavin Newsom. Tourk is currently working as Campaign Manager on Jackie Speier's special election campaign for California's 12th Congressional District[1]. He previously worked with Project Homeless Connect, a project that addresses homelessness in San Francisco. Tourk's name was in national headlines when his wife, Ruby-Tourk, was revealed for having an affair with Gavin Newsom, Tourk's friend, leading Tourk to resign.[2] Tourk graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1989, where he was a member of the Madrigal Singers.

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[edit] Family

He is married to Ruby Rippey-Tourk, who hosts a weekly radio show for Benefit Magazine in San Francisco [2] and they have a son.

[edit] Political career

  • He served as Aide to Democratic Assemblyman Lou Papan from San Mateo [3]
  • Served as Aide to San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown.[3] "I am proud to have hired Alex into city government when he joined Mayor Brown's government in neighborhood services," said Supervisor Bevan Dufty, who called Tourk "an exceptional human being."[3]
  • Served as San Franscisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's campaign manager and deputy chief of staff [4][2] On January 31, 2007, he resigned as Newsom's campaign manager[4] after he confronted the mayor about a sexual relationship Newsom had with his wife, Ruby Rippey-Tourk, who worked in Newsom's office[5] as the mayor's appointment secretary.

[edit] Accomplishments

  • Tourk was also responsible for implementing efforts to encourage businesses and citizens to work with government agencies to solve problems together.[3]
  • Implemented the launched the "Volunteering is Sexy" program encouraging volunteerism throughout the city of San Francisco.[6]
  • Tourk was responsible for implementing the homeless program "Project Homeless Connect" [7] in San Francisco that has been replicated in 22 other cities. [3]

[edit] Civic recognition

Alex Tourk was present at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium to mark the city's 15th Project Homeless Connect, an acclaimed program he helped the Newsom Administration launch in 2004.[8] The program invites homeless people to a one stop location where they can access services, including health screenings and housing assistance. Hundreds of volunteers who gathered in the balcony of the auditorium for a morning rally to kick off the event gave Tourk, who turned 36 on Wednesday, a standing ovation and marked the occasion by singing "Happy Birthday" as he was introduced by an emcee. A steady stream of people walked up to extend warm wishes to Tourk and shake his hand, including one of Newsom's police bodyguards who hugged Tourk.[9] Alex Tourk has signed a contract to continue working with San Francisco's Project Connect.[10]

[edit] Private Sector

[edit] References

  1. ^ Web Legal Scholar Considers Run for House, New York Times.
  2. ^ a b c AIDE QUITS AS NEWSOM'S AFFAIR WITH HIS WIFE IS REVEALED, San Francisco Chronicle.
  3. ^ a b c d e LOYAL AIDE: Well-liked staffer said to be Newsom's truest backer, San Francisco Chronicle.
  4. ^ a b Despite doubts, Newsom's camp gears up for '07, San Francisco Chronicle.
  5. ^ Newsom Focuses On Business After Apology, Fox2 News, KTVU.
  6. ^ The Chronicle Local News Blog: It's Impossible To Be Too Sexy For This Shirt, San Francisco Chronicle.
  7. ^ BAY AREA AND NATION: One day to help the homeless, San Francisco Chronicle.
  8. ^ New help for the homeless, San Francisco Chronicle.
  9. ^ Newsom praises Alex Tourk, San Francisco Chronicle.
  10. ^ a b c Alex Tourk makes Lemonade, San Francisco Chronicle.
  11. ^ a b Ground Floor Public Affairs official website

[edit] See also