Republican Representative Chuck Edwards of North Carolina announced Wednesday he is withdrawing from his reelection campaign for the state's 11th District. The decision comes two days after the House Ethics Committee stated it had found substantial evidence that Edwards violated House rules concerning sexual harassment and maintaining a hostile workplace.

Edwards, who has served in the House since 2023, stated he will complete his current term. "Serving Western North Carolina has been the honor of my life. Thank you for your trust, prayers, and support. God bless WNC and America," Edwards said in a social media post.

The House Ethics Committee's report, released Monday, indicated that Representative Edwards engaged in "persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers." The committee recommended that the full House censure Edwards and signaled an intention to force a floor vote on the matter upon the body's return from its August recess.

Axios first reported allegations in May detailing claims of Edwards behaving inappropriately toward young female staff members. While ABC News has not independently confirmed these allegations, Edwards has previously denied them. The Ethics Committee's investigation preceded its recommendation for censure.

The committee's report detailed how Edwards allegedly provided lavish and recurrent gifts to young women on his staff, made comments about their appearance and dress, and invited them to intimate dinners, vacations, and other activities. However, the committee stated it found no evidence that Edwards engaged in sexual activity or explicitly propositioned any employee.

Edwards' reelection campaign, in a statement released Monday, sought to characterize the committee's findings as exonerating. A spokesperson for the campaign argued that the committee had "taken it upon themselves to write their own rules" and that the findings contradicted the committee's conclusion, as they did not implicate quid pro quo sexual harassment or violate federal sexual harassment law.

Despite the campaign's defense, the Ethics Committee's report explicitly stated that the committee found "substantial reason to believe" that Representative Edwards violated House rules. The committee's findings were based on evidence gathered during its investigation into the allegations.

The withdrawal leaves the race for North Carolina's 11th District open, with Edwards' previously scheduled opponent, Democrat Jamie Ager, now facing a different Republican challenger in the November 3 general election. The implications for the district's representation and the broader political landscape are expected to unfold in the coming weeks.