GOP Member Quits Following ‘Beyond Inappropriate’ Behavior, Only Days to Replace Him
Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., has withdrawn from his campaign for reelection following the House Ethics Committee’s call for him to be censured for his “beyond inappropriate” behavior with two of his former female staffers.
His announcement on Wednesday leaves Republicans with less than five days to replace him as their candidate on the November ballot.
“After much prayer and reflection, I’ve decided to withdraw from my re-election campaign. I will complete my current term,” Edwards wrote in his 3 a.m. announcement.
On Monday, the Ethics Committee found that Edwards engaged in “persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers.” He has continued to deny the allegations.
The report continued, claiming that Edwards failed to adhere to House rules that prohibit sexual harassment and unwanted advances to staffers. Concluding its investigation, the committee recommended he be censured—a formal action by the House expressing “deep disapproval” of conduct.
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Edwards’ withdrawal comes ahead of the Monday deadline for North Carolina Republicans to replace him on the November ballot and just 71 days until early voting begins. The 11th District is not necessarily a safe seat for Republicans and is one that could now potentially sway the House majority. Edwards last won the seat in 2024 by more than 13 points.
Following North Carolina law and the party’s plan of organization, Republicans are set to meet next week to select their new nominee.
“The people of Western North Carolina deserve a strong conservative voice on the ballot this November, and our party is prepared to move through this process quickly and efficiently,” North Carolina GOP Chairman Jason Simmons said. “I am confident Republicans will unite behind our nominee and continue our work to expand our majorities in Washington.”
The candidate they select will face off against Jamie Ager, the Democrats’ pick. Ager is a fourth-generation cattle farmer and the grandson of former Democrat Rep. Jamie Clarke, who served in the 1980s. Adam Smith, who lost to Edwards by more than 40 points in the March primary, is advocating for someone else and will make his official announcement Wednesday afternoon, a member of the executive committee told the Daily Signal.
As first reported by Axios in May, and now confirmed by the Ethics Committee, two female staffers—a 19-year-old college student and another in her early 20s—”received numerous gifts” from Edwards. Gifts included “jewelry totaling over $1,000, designer purses, guns, shoes, flowers, a laptop and cell phone, KitchenAid mixer, robotic vacuum, vacations, tickets to performances, and one-on-one dinners.”
The investigation found that the behavior took place “over a sustained period” of time and was “beyond inappropriate.”
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