Jack Lew (C), shakes hands with Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) as former Senator Pete Domenici (R) looks on in Washington February 13, 2013. REUTERS/Gary Cameron

SANTA FE, N.M. - Former New Mexico Senator Pete Domenici said on Wednesday he fathered a child out of wedlock more than 30 years ago with the daughter of one of his former colleagues in the senate.

Domenici acknowledged the extramarital affair in a statement published in New Mexico’s Albuquerque Journal, saying he worried the information was about to be made public by someone else.

“These circumstances now compel me to reveal this situation,” Domenici said.

The 80-year-old Republican and former Senate Budget Committee chairman told the Journal he had an affair with Washington lobbyist Michelle Laxalt, the daughter of Paul Laxalt, a former U.S. senator and Nevada governor.

“I deeply regret this and am very sorry for my behaviour. I hope New Mexicans will view that my accomplishments for my beloved state outweigh my personal transgression,” Domenici said.