• Rep. Chuck Edwards has withdrawn from his re-election campaign.
• The House Ethics Committee recommended censure over harassment allegations.
• Edwards denies wrongdoing but acknowledged persistent inappropriate conduct.

North Carolina Congressman Chuck Edwards has officially dropped his bid for re-election following a recommendation for censure from the House Ethics Committee, which found substantial evidence of "persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct" towards two female staffers. In a statement shared on social media, Edwards mentioned, "After much prayer and thoughtful reflection, and many conversations with my family, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from my re-election campaign," according to BBC.

The Ethics Committee reported that Edwards engaged in conduct such as giving gifts, making comments about staffers' appearances, and inviting them to personal dinners and intimate settings. Although there was no evidence of sexual relations or explicit propositions, the report noted that these actions created discomfort for the staffers, leading to the recommendation for censure. Edwards has publicly denied any sexual intentions in his behavior, emphasizing his continued dedication to serving his constituents in Western North Carolina, as stated in CBS News and Reuters.

The committee highlighted specific examples of conduct they deemed inappropriate, asserting that while Edwards did not engage in explicit sexual misconduct, his behavior could imply otherwise. Notably, Edwards had previously won his seat in a competitive race against former Rep. Madison Cawthorn and now faces a Republican executive committee's decision to find a replacement for the November ballot, according to Los Angeles Times, CBS News, and BBC.