Chuck Edwards Quits Re-Election Race After Ethics Committee Recommends Censure

Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC-11) announced Wednesday he is withdrawing from his re-election campaign, days after the House Ethics Committee released a report finding substantial evidence that he repeatedly made unwanted advances toward two young female staffers and recommended the full House vote to censure him.

The committee's report describes a pattern of behavior including lavish and recurrent gifts to the young women, comments about their appearance and dress, invitations to intimate dinners and vacations, and notes expressing effusive affection. The committee said a reasonable observer would interpret the pattern as sexual harassment, even while concluding it did not violate the letter of federal sexual harassment law.

American Muckrakers called for Edwards' resignation on Tuesday, one day before his announcement, after the ethics report was released. The organization said the committee's findings made clear Edwards could no longer credibly represent the people of Western North Carolina. He has so far refused to resign his seat, saying he will complete his current term.

Edwards, who won the May Republican primary, will serve out his term. The NC-11 Republican Party will now select a replacement nominee. Democratic nominee Jamie Ager remains in the race, and the seat is now widely viewed as competitive.

CNN reported that House Republican leaders had been privately pressuring Edwards to drop out after the report landed Monday. A censure vote could come as early as September.

Edwards' Facebook announcement cited "prayer, thoughtful reflection, and many conversations with my family." It did not mention the ethics report.