Embattled North Carolina Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards said early Wednesday morning that he would end his re-election campaign after an ethics report found evidence he treated female staffers inappropriately.
Edwards, who has been in office since 2023, will finish out his term but plans to leave office in January. That announcement comes after the House Ethics Committee found “substantial reason to believe” he repeatedly subjected two female staffers to inappropriate and unprofessional treatment. The committee recommended that Edwards face a formal censure vote.
“After much prayer and reflection, I’ve decided to withdraw from my re-election campaign,” the married Edwards said in a statement posted to X at 3:32 a.m. ET. “I will complete my current term. Serving Western North Carolina has been the honor of my life. Thank you for your trust, prayers, and support. God bless WNC and America.”
After much prayer and reflection, I’ve decided to withdraw from my re-election campaign. I will complete my current term. Serving Western North Carolina has been the honor of my life. Thank you for your trust, prayers, and support. God bless WNC and America.
— Congressman Chuck Edwards (@RepChuckEdwards) August 5, 2026
Edwards, a former McDonald’s franchise owner, began representing the western North Carolina district after he defeated the controversial former Rep. Madison Cawthorn in the 2022 GOP primary. Edwards will be replaced by the district’s Republican Executive Committee.
A report from the House Ethics Committee released on Monday found that Edwards provided young women on his staff with “lavish and recurrent gifts,” commented on their appearance and dress, invited them on intimate dinners and vacations, and sent affectionate notes.
“Representative Edwards also went beyond norms of professional behavior by giving both women lavish gifts. Both women received numerous gifts from Representative Edwards, including 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 report found.
The report said that Edwards skipped votes to help decorate one staffer’s Christmas tree and that “many relevant messages were omitted and/or seemingly deleted from his phone.”
The committee said it found no evidence that Edwards engaged in sexual activity with the women or suggested that they do so.
A lawyer for Edwards issued a 15-page response noting the committee cleared the congressman of sexual misconduct allegations and accused the panel of reaching its conclusions through a short-circuited process. He also argued Edwards never got a chance to defend himself before the committee.
Democrats are targeting Edwards’ seat as a potential flip with nominee Jamie Ager significantly outraising the incumbent in a district traditionally safely Republican.
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