Creepy Republican Drops House Re-Election Bid

Just days after the House Ethics Committee recommended that Chuck Edwards be censured for unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young female staffers, he decided to quit.
By Ed Scarce — August 6, 2026

After “much prayer and reflection," the 65-year-old married Congressman decided that being censured for pestering young staffers for sex wasn't worth it anymore and has decided to call it a day. About 30 Republican leaders in NC-11 will pick their new nominee.

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Embattled North Carolina Republican congressman Chuck Edwards withdrew from his reelection campaign on Wednesday, two days after the House Ethics Committee recommended he be censured for unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young female aides in his office.

The 65-year-old Edwards, who is serving his second term, said that he made the decision to drop his reelection bid after “much prayer and reflection” and that he would complete the current term.

The Ethics Committee recommended the censure, an act registering its deep disapproval of a lawmaker’s conduct that does not meet the threshold for expulsion, on Monday. The panel highlighted numerous examples of actions it considered improper, including Edwards providing the young women with lavish and recurrent gifts, making comments regarding their appearance and dress, inviting them to intimate dinners and vacations, and sending notes regarding his affection.

Edwards 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.”

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