Republican leaders are growing increasingly worried that allegations against two GOP House lawmakers may end up costing them in the midterm elections, Punchbowl News reported Wednesday.
Those two House GOP lawmakers are Reps. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) and Max Miller (R-OH), both of whom have faced serious allegations in recent days.
The House Ethics Committee found on Monday that Edwards had engaged in persistent and inappropriate conduct toward two young female staffers. Edwards subsequently dropped his re-election bid on Wednesday.
Miller has been accused of physically abusing his ex-wife and 2-year-old daughter, allegations he denied as he released a massive hoard of documents to back his claim. Those documents may have included a picture of his daughter's body.
However, as the allegations against Miller “quickly” grow into “a national spectacle,” Punchbowl News writes, GOP leadership has grown increasingly concerned over its potential impact on the midterms.
“The Miller and Edwards cases are very different. But top Republicans worry they could cost the party a key pair of seats in November,” Punchbowl News’ report reads. “Republicans have been working through how to replace Edwards on the ballot. Democrat Jamie Ager is running a well-funded campaign.”
The House Ethics Committee has gone on to become a “key player” in the midterms, Punchbowl News writes, though it's also allowed GOP leadership to avoid directly calling on its own members to resign, despite the severity of allegations leveled against them.
“The committee’s aggressive posture fits another trend in House Republican politics this Congress: don’t call on members to resign, especially with margins this thin,” Punchbowl News’ report reads.
“Instead, Speaker Mike Johnson deferred to the Ethics Committee – as he is doing in this case. Remember that Johnson appoints the Republican members of the panel, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries appointing the Democrats.”