Pete Domenici-Michelle Laxalt Affair, Adam Laxalt PHOTOS: Ex-Senator Fathered 'Love Child' with Colleague Paul Laxalt's Daughter Over 30 Years Ago

Reports confirm that on Wednesday (Feb. 20), retired New Mexico Senator Pete Domenici admitted to fathering an out-of-wedlock love child over 30 years ago. At the time, Domenici was involved in an extramarital affair with fellow Republican Senator Paul Laxalt's daughter, Michelle Laxalt. According to Domenici, Laxalt wanted to keep their son (Adam) a secret, and he agreed with the 24-year-old's decision to raise the child as a single mother. Domenici (now 80) publically admits to the affair 30 years later because he believes someone else was about to disclose the matter.

In an official statement released in the Albuquerque Journal, the longest-serving Senator of New Mexico reveals:

"More than 30 years ago, I fathered a child outside my marriage. The mother of that child made me pledge that we would never reveal that parenthood, and I have tried to honor that pledge and so has she. I have been concerned about the burden of privacy on the son Adam Laxalt.

I am also worried about the impact of these revelations on his mother, Michelle Laxalt. However, rather than have others breach this privacy, I have decided to make this statement today. These circumstances now compel me to reveal this situation.

My past action has caused hurt and disappointment to my wife, children, family, and others. For that I am solely responsible. My family has been aware of these events for several months. I have apologized as best as I can to my wife, and we have worked together to strengthen our relationship.

I deeply regret this and am very sorry for my behavior. I hope New Mexicans will view that my accomplishments for my beloved state outweigh my personal transgression. I only ask that everyone respect the privacy of my family and the son's mother. None of them wanted this publicity, none of them deserve the hurt of this revelation, and only I should bear the brunt of this matter."

Domenici, who fathered eight children with his wife Nancy, is a lawyer and served on the former Albuquerque City Commission before winning the first of six terms in the U.S. Senate. Although he retired in 2009, he is still revered as a leading political figure in the state today.

According to the Journal, "Adam Paul Laxalt is a former U.S. Navy officer who graduated with honors from Georgetown University in 2001 and from the Georgetown University Law Center in 2005." He now works as a lawyer in Las Vegas.

Although Laxalt helped Domenici draft his statement, he continues to ask for privacy during this time.

Laxalt's mother and Domenici's former lover Michelle also released her own statement in regards to the affair:

"I come from a political family and learned early in life the value of privacy. I vowed that I would make personal decisions based not on politics, but on my values. This self-pledge was tested when one night's mistake led to pregnancy more than 30 years ago. I chose to go through with that pregnancy, although other choices were available. I also chose to raise my child as a single parent.Given the fact that both my father and the father of my child were United States senators, I felt strongly that I would make this choice according to my values, and would not seek advice, input or permission. My interaction with my child's father consisted of telling him my decision, asking that he avail himself for health-related purposes, and asking that he agree that this remain private between the two of us.

I raised my son, Adam Paul, as a single parent. He lived surrounded by love and joy and opportunity. I am proud of him, yet saddened that the circumstances of his birth might be used like a weapon to hurt many we love. 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."

Laxalt is a prominent government relations consultant and television political commentator based in Washington, D.C. She is the daughter of former U.S. Senator and Nevada Governor Paul Laxalt.

Several of Domenici's colleagues agree that news of the former Senator's secret affair should not disgrace his political legacy. According to former Governor Garrey Carruthers, "His contribution to our country, to our state, our community, cannot be diminished in my view by personal events."