{"id":6695,"date":"2026-08-05T13:30:07","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T13:30:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=6695"},"modified":"2026-08-05T13:30:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T13:30:07","slug":"republican-chuck-edwards-drops-bid-for-re-election-after-report-finding-sexual-harassment-of-staffers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=6695","title":{"rendered":"Republican Chuck Edwards drops bid for re-election after report finding sexual harassment of staffers"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-14sl0e4\">\n<div class=\"dcr-17l77cs\">\n<figure id=\"7aceca7f-6fbf-4412-8982-3c0743e9b9c5\" class=\"dcr-191xnya\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"a man in a suit and glasses\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/4cd4cb556ebe381cfb5a994a9f2d0908f159be74\/458_0_4583_3668\/master\/4583.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"372.16233907920576\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><span class=\"dcr-kogzpx\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-18mnkpm\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1294qmb\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-4sl2vt\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1mfxiaj\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Chuck Edwards on Capitol Hill in Washington DC on 15 April 2026. <\/span> Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"7aceca7f-6fbf-4412-8982-3c0743e9b9c5\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-qda0hp\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1e9iiy9\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Chuck Edwards on Capitol Hill in Washington DC on 15 April 2026. <\/span> Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-ql9l8l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-6mja0y\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-l0wuod\">Republican Chuck Edwards drops bid for re-election after report finding sexual harassment of staffers<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1xpojbf\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1gm5ptv\">\n<p>Congressional ethics panel had recommended Edwards face censure over its findings on \u2018hostile work environment\u2019<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/live\/2026\/aug\/05\/michigan-primary-race-democrats-midterms-senate-el-sayed-haley-stevens-donald-trump-republicans-us-politics-latest-news-updates\" data-link-name=\"in standfirst link\">US politics live \u2013 latest updates<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-x1al2c\">\n<div class=\"dcr-11gq2tx\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-1w2vkyc\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-ogvvui\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Chuck Edwards announced he would not run for re-election after the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/house-of-representatives\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">US House of Representatives<\/a> ethics committee determined the US congressman \u201cfostered a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment\u201d by giving gifts and lavishing attention on two young female staffers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Edwards, a Republican for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/northcarolina\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">North Carolina<\/a>, said he would complete his current term, which is due to end in January.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">In a statement posted on social media early on Wednesday morning, Edwards said: \u201cAfter much prayer and reflection, I\u2019ve decided to withdraw from my re-election campaign. I will complete my current term. Serving sestern North Carolina has been the honor of my life. Thank you for your trust, prayers, and support\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"45648769-b4ba-475e-b4f4-3facd9ac778e\" data-spacefinder-role=\"richLink\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-1oq85qr\">\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" data-link-name=\"rich-link-3 | 3\" data-component=\"rich-link\" data-name=\"placeholder\" class=\"dcr-1rx5ky9\">\n<div data-format-theme=\"5\" data-format-design=\"0\" data-format-display=\"0\" class=\"dcr-uyoh2p\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/aug\/03\/house-ethics-panel-north-carolina-chuck-edwards-censure\" class=\"dcr-f35c0u\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-vvxpdt\">\n<div class=\"dcr-6z6e7\">\n<div class=\"dcr-zh9rih\">US House ethics panel recommends censure for Republican Chuck Edwards<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-oj13vq\">\n<div class=\"dcr-ef9nua\">Read more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The bipartisan congressional ethics panel recommended on Monday that Edwards face censure over its findings. Should the House agree, he will have to stand in the well of the chamber while the text of a resolution rebuking him is read aloud.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The ethics committee launched an investigation into Edwards earlier this year, after receiving complaints about his conduct. In a report approved by Democratic and Republican committee members, it said there was \u201csubstantial reason to believe\u201d that Edwards had broken House rules by singling out the two unidentified aides for special treatment that made them uncomfortable and harmed relations with other employees.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">While the investigation uncovered no evidence that Edwards engaged in sexual activity with the staffers or suggested it, his behavior likely violated provisions in the House code of conduct that prohibit sexual harassment and unwanted advances.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The congressman \u201cacknowledged at least some of the behavior at issue could be viewed as inappropriate\u201d, but \u201chas not acknowledged or taken responsibility for the harm he caused\u201d, the committee wrote in its report.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Edwards was already viewed as vulnerable to losing re-election to his western North Carolina district in the November midterm elections. Last week election forecaster Sabato\u2019s Crystal Ball announced it was <a href=\"https:\/\/centerforpolitics.org\/crystalball\/thirteen-house-rating-changes-toward-democrats-as-seat-by-seat-assessment-better-aligns-with-our-november-expectations\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">rating<\/a> his race a \u201ctoss-up\u201d, in a sign of improving Democratic chances.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-swayiu\"><span class=\"dcr-1xhbmzr\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-2c03t5\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-p7nd18\">\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-congress\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">US Congress<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-politics\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">US politics<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/house-of-representatives\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">House of Representatives<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/northcarolina\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">North Carolina<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/republicans\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Republicans<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-313bdz\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Republican%20Chuck%20Edwards%20drops%20bid%20for%20re-election%20after%20report%20finding%20sexual%20harassment%20of%20staffers&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/aug\/05\/chuck-edwards-sexual-harassment-reelection?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-ncybeu\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-19bkree\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Faug%2F05%2Fchuck-edwards-sexual-harassment-reelection&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/aug\/05\/chuck-edwards-sexual-harassment-reelection\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-1c41onw\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-1kq7f60\"><span class=\"dcr-1ryr20k\"><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chuck Edwards on Capitol Hill in Washington DC on 15 April 2026. Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein\/Reuters View image in<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":6697,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6695","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-us-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6695","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6695"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6695\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6698,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6695\/revisions\/6698"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6697"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6695"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6695"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6695"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}