Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) announced Wednesday that he will withdraw from his re-election campaign following a House Ethics Committee recommendation that he be censured. In a statement posted to X, the social media platform, Edwards stated he would complete his current term representing Western North Carolina but would not seek another. The decision follows an investigation into his conduct involving congressional employees.
The House Ethics Committee reported this week that Edwards engaged in what it described as persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young female staffers. While Edwards cooperated with the investigation and did not challenge the committee's findings, his legal team argued that the behavior did not meet the threshold required for a formal censure. A censure is a public condemnation by the House of Representatives that does not remove a member from office but serves as a formal disciplinary measure.
Prior to the announcement, House Republican leaders and North Carolina Republican officials reportedly encouraged Edwards to exit the race. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told reporters Tuesday night that Edwards had a "big decision" to make and later spoke with the congressman overnight to encourage him to make the right choice for his family. Meanwhile, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Madison Andrus called for Edwards' immediate resignation and criticized the Republican response to the findings.
The shift in the Republican ticket introduces a new selection process for local party officials. According to sources familiar with the process, the executive committee is scheduled to meet Monday at 6:30 p.m. to choose among potential nominees including state Sens. Kevin Corbin and Tim Moffitt, and state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom. This internal party vote will replace the primary election results that originally gave Edwards the nomination, changing the options available to voters on the general election ballot in just a few months.
The timing of the withdrawal creates a narrow window for the new Republican nominee to organize a campaign staff, raise funds, and introduce their platform to the district's voters before November. Because Edwards plans to serve out his current term, the district will not face a vacancy in representation during the remainder of the current session, but the legislative priorities for the next term may shift depending on which candidate the GOP selects to face Ager. The North Carolina GOP executive committee meeting on Monday will be the next formal step in finalizing the candidate list for the 11th District.