'After Much Prayer,' Censured GOP Rep Drops Out of Race

A North Carolina congressman is ending his reelection bid days after a scathing ethics finding. Rep. Chuck Edwards said Wednesday he will serve out his term but leave the race, reports Politico, following a House Ethics Committee recommendation that he be formally censured for what it called "persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct" toward two young female staffers. "After much prayer and reflection, I've decided to withdraw from my re-election campaign," Edwards wrote on X early Wednesday. "I will complete my current term."

Edwards did not contest the panel's findings, though his attorneys argued they didn't merit censure. His move comes after private pressure from House GOP leaders and fellow North Carolina Republicans, who questioned his ability to keep the seat. Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday called it a "big decision" for Edwards, but stopped short of publicly urging him out. The withdrawal lands just ahead of Monday's deadline for Republicans to name a new candidate; the New York Times notes that there was no immediately obvious choice to replace Edwards.