GOP Rep. Chuck Edwards drops reelection bid over sexual harassment claims

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News on Aug 5, 2026

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Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards Wednesday dropped his reelection bid from a western North Carolina district over allegations that he harassed young female congressional staffers by showering them with gifts and inappropriate behavior.

Edwards, 65, who is married, pulled out of the race in a 3:32 a.m. tweet after the House Ethics Committee recommended he be censured for the behavior, which included sending 30 ice cream cartons to one young staffer and boasting to another of his trips to a strip club .

“After much prayer and reflection, I’ve decided to withdraw from my re-election campaign,” Edwards tweeted.

Edwards vowed to serve out the remainder of his term that ends Jan. 1, meaning he could still face the censure or worse by House colleagues in coming months.

The overnight announcement by Edwards came as fellow Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, remained defiant in the face of domestic violence accusations.

Edwards has denied any wrongdoing or romantic intent, but the ethics committee said his behavior was “beyond inappropriate.”

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.

“Both women were uncomfortable with his behavior (which they attempted to communicate) but were put in an untenable position by virtue of his status as their boss and a Member of Congress,” the Ethics Committee said in a 25-page report. “Edwards was at minimum blind to that reality, and at worst, dismissive.”

By acting before an August deadline, Edwards gave Republican leaders the opportunity to pick a replacement candidate to appear on the November general election ballot against Democrat Jamie Ager in the light-red district that includes the deep-blue city of Asheville. The race is seen as a toss-up.

But by insisting to stay in office for the remainder of his term, Edwards could extend the scrutiny over his behavior. In other recent cases, lawmakers in both parties facing similar allegations resigned immediately instead of seeking to remain in office.

Republicans hold a narrow six-seat majority in the House and face steep odds of retaining control of the chamber with President Donald Trump’s approval rating hitting historic lows.

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