North Carolina Republican congressman Chuck Edwards announced his withdrawal from his reelection campaign on Wednesday, two days after the House Ethics Committee recommended censuring him for unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young female aides in his office. The 65-year-old lawmaker, serving his second term, stated he made the decision following “much prayer and reflection” and indicated he would complete his current term.
The Ethics Committee’s recommendation, issued Monday, detailed numerous actions the panel considered improper, including providing gifts, making comments about appearance and dress, inviting the women to intimate dinners and vacations, and sending notes expressing affection. The committee determined that Edwards’ behavior “would lead a reasonable observer to interpret it as” a sexual or romantic advance, though the panel found no evidence he explicitly propositioned employees or engaged in sexual activity. Edwards denied his conduct was intended as sexual or romantic advancement. His attorneys characterized the censure recommendation as “extraordinarily harsh” and argued the findings “exonerate” the congressman, contending the censure was not based on direct violations of House rules addressing sexual misconduct.
North Carolina Republican Senator Ted Budd said Edwards “did the right thing by withdrawing from the race.” Budd’s spokesman stated the senator found the Ethics Committee report “deeply concerning” and noted Edwards faced a significant polling disadvantage before the report’s release, though he declined to say whether the senator requested his colleague’s withdrawal.
Edwards’ 11th Congressional District seat, which encompasses rural western North Carolina and the progressive city of Asheville, has been considered a bellwether race. The district’s composition of mixed political leanings has drawn significant Democratic attention, with the party nominating farmer Jamie Ager as its candidate and seeking to flip the seat. Republicans have indicated they believe the seat remains winnable with a new candidate. The Republican executive committee in Edwards’ district will select a nominee next week for the midterm election.
The vacancy adds to Republicans’ challenges as they work to maintain their slim House majority control. House Speaker Mike Johnson is managing multiple disruptions, including an ethics investigation involving Ohio Republican Representative Max Miller in a typically GOP-favorable district.
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