Republican North Carolina congressman Chuck Edwards will abandon his reelection bid after claims of harassment.
Edwards posted on X early Wednesday morning, "After much prayer and reflection, I’ve decided to withdraw from my re-election campaign. I will complete my current term. Serving Western North Carolina has been the honor of my life. Thank you for your trust, prayers, and support. God bless WNC and America."
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His announcement comes after the House Ethics Committee recommended on Monday that Edwards be censured after finding that he engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young female aides.
The Associated Press reports that Edwards, 65, has denied that any of his conduct was intended as a sexual or romantic advance, but the committee said his behavior would “lead a reasonable observer to interpret it as such.” It also described his actions as “beyond inappropriate.”
Edwards represents North Carolina's 11th district.