RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Republican Representative Chuck Edwards has dropped his bid for reelection amid sexual harassment allegations, hours before a separate deadline looms for fellow GOP Representative Max Miller to withdraw over domestic abuse claims.
Edwards, a Congressman from North Carolina, has denied the allegations and wrote on X on Wednesday: "After much prayer and reflection, I've decided to withdraw from my reelection campaign." He said he would complete his current term, and that representing western North Carolina had been "the honor of my life."
Edwards' announcement came two days after the bipartisan House Ethics Committee recommended that the full House censure him over what it described as "persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct" toward two young female staff members.
The Ethics Committee report found that Edwards failed "to adhere to the spirit of rules prohibiting sexual harassment of, and unwanted advances to, House staffers," and repeatedly blurred professional boundaries with two aides. Edwards has denied that any of his actions were intended as sexual or romantic advances, and challenged the committee's conclusions.
Meanwhile, Miller—a GOP Representative from Ohio—has faced calls to step aside following allegations that he abused his former wife, Emily Moreno , and their young daughter. Miller has denied the claims.
Miller has until 4 p.m. Wednesday to withdraw his reelection bid and allow Ohio Republicans to replace him on the November ballot.
Miller has said he intends to remain in the race and requested that the House Ethics Committee investigate the allegations against him.
The Ethics Committee’s investigation centered on Edwards’ treatment of two young women who worked for him, one of whom was a college student when she was hired and another who was in her early 20s. The committee said Edwards gave both women attention that went "well beyond norms of professional behavior" and contributed to discomfort and declining morale within his office.
According to the report, Edwards gave the women recurrent and expensive gifts, including jewelry, designer purses, guns, shoes, flowers, electronics and vacations. Investigators also detailed private dinners, late-night messages, comments about their appearances and invitations to spend time with him outside work. Other employees perceived the attention as preferential treatment, the committee said.
The committee found no evidence that Edwards engaged in sexual activity with either woman or explicitly propositioned anyone employed by him. It also did not conclude that he engaged in quid pro quo sexual harassment or violated federal sexual harassment law. But they did say his broader pattern of conduct could lead a reasonable observer to interpret his behavior as romantic or sexual advances
Edwards denied that his gifts, messages or invitations were intended as unwanted, sexual or romantic advances, and he rejected the finding that he created a hostile workplace.
His attorneys said the women did not directly tell him that his conduct made them uncomfortable and argued that he believed their distress arose from false rumors about an affair. They also characterized the gifts as products of personal friendship and said Edwards had been similarly generous toward other employees.
His legal team argued that the report effectively exonerated him under the House’s specific rules governing sexual harassment and misconduct because it found no sexual relationship, explicit proposition, quid pro quo harassment or violation of federal law.
The attorneys said the committee instead relied on broader requirements that members act in a way that reflects creditably on the House and follow the "spirit" of its rules. They called censure an unprecedented and disproportionate response based on subjective interpretations of his conduct.
Edwards’ lawyers also challenged the investigation itself, saying no affected staff member filed a complaint, no investigative subcommittee was established and Edwards was not given a full opportunity to examine witnesses or contest the evidence.
Edwards nevertheless said through his attorneys that he "sincerely regrets" that his behavior caused either woman discomfort. His response said he agreed to respect appropriate boundaries after becoming aware of their concerns, while maintaining that neither staff member had previously indicated to him that his general behavior was unwelcome.
The withdrawal threatens Republicans in a district that had already become more competitive. Edwards won North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District by 12.8 percentage points in 2024, but election analysts subsequently moved the 2026 contest toward Democrats, and Democratic nominee Jamie Ager significantly outraised him.
This is a developing story. More to follow .
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