Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) announced on Wednesday that he will end his re-election campaign after the House Ethics Committee recommended censuring him.

“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,” Edwards said.

Edwards is accused of sexually harassing two “young female staffers” in his office.

The committee recommended censuring the North Carolina Republican following the release of a 25-page report.

The report concluded that Edwards “violated the Code of Official Conduct by failing to act in a manner that reflects creditably upon the House.”

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House Ethics Committee Recommends Censure Of GOP Congressman Accused Of Sexually Harassing “Young Female Staffers”

NBC News shared further:

The bipartisan panel said Edwards denied that any of his actions were intended to be sexual or romantic. He cooperated with the investigation, according to the report.

The committee said it found no evidence that Edwards engaged in sexual activity with or propositioned any of his staffers. It also concluded that the allegations “do not implicate quid pro quo sexual harassment” or violate “the ‘letter’ of federal sexual harassment law.”

But it added that “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 was endorsed by President Donald Trump last year and had been set to face Democrat Jamie Ager, a farmer, in the November election.

Democrats believed the seat could flip, given the embarrassing ethics report and the fact that Ager had significantly outraised Edwards. Before the report was released, the Cook Political Report rated the race as “Lean Republican.”

Edwards' decision comes ahead of a Monday deadline to drop out so Republicans can replace him on November's ballot.

"The Executive Committee of North Carolina's 11th district will meet Monday at 6:30pm at the Buncombe County Headquarters to choose a replacement nominee for Rep. Chuck Edwards," Axios congressional reporter Kate Santaliz said.

"State Sens. Tim Moffitt and Kevin Corbin, and state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom are all being discussed as possible candidates, according to two sources familiar with the process," she added.

POLITICO has more:

Democrats, meanwhile, called on Edwards to resign immediately and expressed confidence that their nominee, Jamie Ager, would beat any substitute in November.

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“For months, North Carolina Republicans stood by and allowed Edwards to get away with a long, demonstrated pattern of abuse,” DCCC spokesperson Madison Andrus said. “Whichever GOP lapdog they try to drop in Edwards’ place will own the consequences.”

 

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