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Representative Chuck Edwards asks House colleagues not to censure him over conduct with aides

The North Carolina Republican claims his behavior toward two former female staffers amounted to an "affectionate friendship" rather than sexual harassment.

Updated Aug 27, 2026 · 21:23 UTC3 reports

The short version

  • Representative Chuck Edwards sent a letter to House colleagues appealing a recommended censure from the House Ethics Committee.
  • The Ethics Committee found Edwards engaged in inappropriate and unprofessional conduct toward two former female staffers, who reportedly left their jobs due to his behavior.
  • Edwards, who has already withdrawn his reelection bid, argued that his actions did not constitute sexual harassment, while the House is expected to vote on the censure as early as next week.

Key facts

  • Representative Chuck Edwards of North Carolina sent a 22-page letter to colleagues urging them to reject an Ethics Committee recommendation to censure him.[The Washington Post · Associated Press]
  • The House Ethics Committee's report concluded that Edwards engaged in persistent, unprofessional, and inappropriate conduct toward two female aides, causing them discomfort and leading to their departures.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • The committee detailed more than $1,000 in gifts given to the aides, including jewelry, designer purses, guns, shoes, flowers, a laptop, a cellphone, vacations, event tickets, and one-on-one dinners.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • Edwards denied any romantic or sexual intent, arguing that gifts, compliments, poetry, and "affectionate friendships" do not constitute sexual misconduct.[The Washington Post · Associated Press]
  • The Ethics Committee stated that while Edwards denied romantic intent, a reasonable observer would interpret his actions as such.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • Edwards dropped his reelection bid two days after the committee recommended censure.[ABC News · Associated Press]

What remains uncertain

  • The exact date of the House vote on whether to censure Edwards remains undetermined, though it is expected as early as next week.[The Washington Post]

Sources