Republican North Carolina Representative Chuck Edwards announced on Wednesday, August 5th, 2026, that he will no longer seek re-election after an investigation concluded he engaged in inappropriate conduct. The House Ethics Committee recommended on Monday that Edwards be censured due to persistent unprofessional and inappropriate behavior toward two female staffers.

The investigation, which began in May 2026 after complaints about a hostile work environment, included review of text messages from May 2025. These messages reportedly showed Edwards attempting to take a then-female staffer to dinner, though she expressed that it was not a good idea.

Edwards stated, “After much prayer and reflection, I’ve decided to withdraw from my re-election campaign. Serving Western North Carolina has been the honor of my life. God bless WNC and America.” He will complete his current term.

In a related development, Max Miller initiated an Ethics Committee investigation into himself after his ex-wife accused him of domestic violence.

Sources