Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) introduced early Wednesday that he’s abandoning his reelection marketing campaign in North Carolina’s eleventh Congressional District following a bombshell Home Ethics Committee investigation.
“After a lot prayer and reflection, I’ve determined to withdraw from my re-election marketing campaign,” Edwards wrote in a brief statement. “I’ll full my present time period.”
Edwards provided no additional clarification within the announcement.
After a lot prayer and reflection, I’ve determined to withdraw from my re-election marketing campaign. I’ll full my present time period. Serving Western North Carolina has been the consideration of my life. Thanks on your belief, prayers, and help. God bless WNC and America.
— Congressman Chuck Edwards (@RepChuckEdwards) August 5, 2026
The beautiful withdrawal got here simply two days after the bipartisan Home Ethics Committee launched a report recommending that the complete Home censure Edwards over what investigators described as “persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct” towards two younger feminine staffers.
In keeping with the committee’s official report, investigators performed 16 witness interviews and reviewed almost 1,500 pages of proof.
In keeping with the report, Edwards supplied the younger ladies with lavish and recurrent items together with jewellery totaling over $1,000, designer purses, weapons, footwear, flowers, a KitchenAid mixer, a robotic vacuum, holidays, tickets to performances, and one-on-one dinners.
He additionally made feedback on their look, despatched private notes expressing “effusive affection,” invited them to intimate dinners and actions, and engaged in different conduct {that a} cheap observer would interpret as romantic or sexual advances.
The committee discovered no proof that Edwards engaged in sexual exercise with or explicitly propositioned any staffer, and it concluded the allegations didn’t contain quid professional quo harassment or violate federal sexual harassment regulation. Each staffers had beforehand labored for him within the state Senate and later left his congressional workplace.
Edwards has disputed the committee’s conclusions.
In a prolonged response submitted by his attorneys, Edwards argued that the investigation cleared him of violating federal sexual-harassment regulation and uncovered no sexual relationship, quid professional quo harassment or specific proposition. His attorneys accused the committee of counting on obscure requirements, overlooking exculpatory proof and denying Edwards the conventional alternative to problem the allegations by means of a proper adjudicatory course of.
Edwards expressed remorse that his conduct might have made the 2 ladies uncomfortable however continued to disclaim any romantic or sexual intent.
Strain mounted rapidly from Home GOP leaders and fellow North Carolina Republicans, together with studies that Sen. Ted Budd urged him to exit the race, citing issues it was not winnable.
Edwards, a former McDonald’s franchise proprietor and state senator, defeated then-Rep. Madison Cawthorn within the 2022 Republican major and has held the western North Carolina seat since 2023.
Former Rep. George Santos blasted Edwards on X, stating:
“[F*ck] you, [you’re] a creep and a predator! You took on @realcawthorn and stated terrible issues about him. Now that is your legacy, you fucking pig! I hope your spouse has the fortitude to depart you after this!”
Fuck you, your a creep and a predator! You took on @realcawthorn and stated terrible issues about him. Now that is your legacy, you fucking pig!
I hope your spouse has the fortitude to depart you after this!
— George Santos (@Georgesantos) August 5, 2026
The North Carolina eleventh District Republican Government Committee is about to satisfy subsequent week to pick out a substitute nominee underneath state social gathering guidelines. There will probably be no new major.
The submit North Carolina Rep. Chuck Edwards WITHDRAWS from Reelection Campaign After House Ethics Committee Recommends Censure Over Inappropriate Conduct with Female Staffers appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
