Republican Chuck Edwards drops out after visits to female staffer's home revealed by probe

Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) dropped his reelection bid after a House ethics panel found he had repeatedly visited a female staffer's home and lavished her with unsolicited gifts and attention.

The bipartisan House Ethics Committee released its report Monday, finding Edwards had engaged in persistent inappropriate conduct toward two young female staffers — including showing up at one woman's home to do chores, escort her to events, and spend personal time with her.

"After much prayer and reflection, I’ve decided to withdraw from my re-election campaign," Edwards wrote on X early Wednesday morning. "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."

The panel recommended the full House censure Edwards, one of the most severe punishments Congress can impose short of expulsion.

The report found Edwards had gone to the staffer's home to do yard work, pick her up and drop her off using his congressional driver, and decorate her Christmas tree — skipping House votes to do it, according to the committee.

Edwards texted her the day before: he would "skip votes and help you decorate your tree once you get home tomorrow."

He also had approximately 30 types of ice cream delivered to her house, in an exchange Edwards failed to produce but the committee recovered.

"Thank you, but this seems a bit excessive," she texted back.

"You looked like you needed a lot of cheering up! My heart was breaking seeing you like that," Edwards replied.

Beyond the home visits, the report documented jewelry totaling over $1,000, designer purses, guns, shoes, a KitchenAid mixer, a robotic vacuum, spa treatments and tickets to Broadway shows, the committee found.

The attention did not stop when she left his office.

In November 2025, he flew her to Las Vegas, paying for flights and two rooms at the Bellagio, the report said.

She texted him that a bouquet of flowers waiting in her room had a message that "made me uncomfortable." He apologized, and she apologized back.

The committee also found Edwards had withheld more than 400 texts from investigators, with gaps that made it appear the women were the ones reaching out to him, the report found.

"I'm burning with jealousy because I wanted to be the person to introduce you to it," Edwards wrote in one deleted message, according to the committee.

The conduct took a toll on both women's careers, the report found.

Both staffers eventually left his office because of his conduct, though each had considered longer congressional careers, the report found.

Republican leaders had been privately pushing Edwards to quit, CNN reported.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) was asked Tuesday whether Edwards should drop his reelection bid, and told Politico he would not say yes.

"He's got to make a big decision, and I hope he does the right thing for him and his family," Johnson said.

Hours later, Edwards made it. He posted on X at 3:32 a.m. Wednesday that after "much prayer and reflection," he was withdrawing from the race.

His Democratic challenger had been outraising him for months before the report dropped, campaign finance records show.

Democrat Jamie Ager, a Fairview farmer, outraised Edwards by nearly 9-to-1 in the second quarter, according to the Asheville Watchdog, and Sabato's Crystal Ball shifted the district from "lean Republican" to "toss-up" last week, Axios reported.

Edwards will serve out the remainder of his current term. His withdrawal opens the seat for both parties ahead of the Sept. 4 deadline for military and overseas absentee ballots.