Rep. Chuck Edwards Drops Re-Election Bid After Censure Move
The North Carolina Republican quit his campaign days after the House Ethics Committee recommended censure over his conduct toward two young female staffers.
WASHINGTON — Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., said Wednesday that he is dropping his bid for re-election, days after the House Ethics Committee recommended that he be censured over sexual harassment allegations.
"After much prayer and reflection, I've decided to withdraw from my re-election campaign. I will complete my current term," Edwards wrote on X. "Serving Western North Carolina has been the honor of my life. Thank you for your trust, prayers, and support."
Edwards, 65, had faced mounting pressure over his conduct with two female staffers in his office. He has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
On Monday, the Ethics Committee said it would recommend that the full House censure Edwards after finding that he "engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers." A censure is a formal expression of disapproval by the House.
"The Committee found that Representative Edwards violated the House Code of Official Conduct by failing to adhere to the spirit of rules prohibiting sexual harassment of and unwanted advances to House staffers," the bipartisan panel said in a 25-page report following a monthslong investigation.
The committee said Edwards denied that any of his actions were intended to be sexual or romantic, and that he cooperated with the investigation. It found no evidence that he engaged in sexual activity with or propositioned any staffer, and concluded that the allegations "do not implicate quid pro quo sexual harassment" or violate "the 'letter' of federal sexual harassment law."
Still, it said "his pattern of behavior would lead a reasonable observer to interpret it as such, including providing the young women with lavish and recurrent gifts, making comments regarding their appearance and dress, inviting them to intimate dinners and vacations, sending notes regarding his effusive affection, and inviting them to other activities as a way to spend time together."
Edwards, endorsed by President Donald Trump last year, had been set to face Democrat Jamie Ager, a farmer who significantly outraised him. Before the report was released, the Cook Political Report rated the race "Lean Republican."
State law allows Republican officials from the counties in North Carolina's 11th Congressional District to select a new nominee. The state GOP said it would do so next week but gave no timing details.
A former state lawmaker, Edwards ousted Rep. Madison Cawthorn in the 2022 GOP primary and kept a low profile on Capitol Hill. He previously called the allegations "baseless," and his counsel wrote a 15-page rebuttal calling the findings "unfounded."
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