Rep. Chuck Edwards abandoned his reelection bid for a competitive North Carolina seat on Wednesday, after an ethics panel released an investigation that found “substantial evidence” the congressman repeatedly made unwanted advances toward two female staffers.
“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 in a social media post on X.
House Republican leaders had been privately working to convince Edwards to abandon his bid for the seat after the ethics report dropped on Monday, two people familiar with internal discussions told CNN.
Top House Republicans were sent scrambling when the chamber’s ethics panel took the rare step of recommending that the full House vote to punish Edwards.
House members are in their home districts for August recess. The earliest a vote would take place would be in September, but GOP leaders believe it will succeed and would further damage his reelection prospects. The fears come as they’re increasingly worried his western North Carolina seat could flip in November.
