NC Republicans abandon GOP state congressman accused of cyberstalking by his estranged wife

North Carolina Republicans are refusing to defend a GOP state congressman accused of domestic violence against his estranged wife as Democrats call on him to step down.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported that Rep. Cody Henson, a Republican representing the Western NC town of Brevard, has been ordered to stay away from his estranged wife.

As Carolina Public Press reported Wednesday, Henson was also served with a criminal summons from the Transylvania County Sheriff's Office over his wife's allegations of cyberstalking.

She testified in a February hearing that the state representative sent her threatening messages outside of the hours they established to communicate about the care of their two young children and refused to stop when she asked him. She added that it was hard to get anyone to listen to her because her husband is a political figure.

After he was issued the criminal summons, Democrats began calling on Henson to step down as the state's Republican Party has shirked questions about him.

As the Citizen-Times noted, State GOP spokesman Jeff Hauser said the party has no comment about the allegations.

"A message left with House Speaker Tim Moore's office was not returned," the report noted. "Henderson NC Sen. Chuck Edwards, who attended the chamber event, and Madison County Rep. Michele Presnell, who is a member of the General Assembly's ethics committees, didn't respond to questions."

Sammy Kicklighter, the chairman of the Transylvania County GOP, said the party has an "internal consensus" about the "sensitive issue" regarding Henson when reached by the Citizen-Times.