WASHINGTON, Aug 5 (Reuters) – Republican U.S. Representative Chuck Edwards of North Carolina said on Wednesday he was dropping his bid for reelection, after a House Ethics Committee recommended a censure following allegations of sexual harassment.
“After much prayer and reflection, I’ve decided to withdraw from my re-election campaign. I will complete my current term,” Edwards wrote in an early morning X post that did not address the allegations or the committee report.
His announcement followed an Ethics Committee report that found he had “engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers.”
That included giving them lavish gifts, making comments about their appearance, inviting them to intimate dinners and vacations.
While the committee found no evidence that Edwards had sexual relations or explicitly propositioned any women he employed, the report said, his behavior led to rumors and innuendo and made the two staff members uncomfortable.
Edwards denied that his conduct was intended as sexual or romantic in nature, the committee said.
The staffers, it said, “were put in an untenable position by virtue of his status as their boss and a Member of Congress. Representative Edwards was at minimum blind to that reality, and at worst, dismissive of the impact his inappropriate conduct had on the careers and wellbeing of two women on his staff.”
It was not clear who would replace Edwards on the Republican ballot in November’s congressional election.
(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; editing by Deepa Babington)