House Republican leaders are privately working to convince Rep. Chuck Edwards to abandon his reelection bid for a competitive North Carolina seat after an ethics report dropped against the congressman Monday, two people familiar with internal discussions told CNN.

After a months-long investigation, the ethics committee recommended censure for Edwards because of "persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female…

The House Ethics Committee recommended censure for Representative Chuck Edwards.

The North Carolina Republican has been under scrutiny after reports alleged that he had made unwanted advances toward female staffers in his office.