Ethics Committee Recommends Censure Of GOP Rep. Chuck Edwards Over ‘Sexual Harassment’

The House Ethics Committee recommended the censure of Republican North Carolina Rep. Chuck Edwards over workplace misconduct findings Friday.

Investigators found that Edwards engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers, according to the House Ethics Committee’s report.

House Ethics Committee recommends censure of Rep. Chuck Edwards R-NC: "Edwards engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers." pic.twitter.com/g91CHXop5H

The report details what investigators described as a pattern of conduct that crossed professional boundaries with the two staffers, both of whom had previously worked for the North Carolina representative when he served in the state Senate. One staffer was hired as his congressional scheduler at age 19 before finishing college, while the other served as a legislative staffer.

Although Edwards denied any sexual or romantic intent, the committee found his conduct would have appeared otherwise to a “reasonable observer,” citing “lavish and recurrent gifts,” comments about the young women’s appearance, invitations to private dinners and vacations, and affectionate notes. (RELATED: House Ethics Committee Investigating GOP Congressman Over Sexual Harassment, ‘Hostile Work Environment’ Allegations)

According to the committee, the gifts included more than $1,000 worth of jewelry, designer handbags, vacations, Broadway tickets, electronics, household appliances and one-on-one dinners and elaborate day trips. There were also late-night personal texts and poems, and offers of spa treatments and casino outings, according to the probe. (RELATED: Democrat Rep Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Guilty Of Violating 25 House Rules, Ethics Panel Finds)

Here's a photo of the puzzle Rep. Chuck Edwards gave one of the female staffers inviting her to attend one of Sandler's comedy shows with him@axios reported on this in May: https://t.co/LEH7P3XBrr pic.twitter.com/8mDdokAJiX

Investigators cited a pattern of conduct that they said gave “the appearance of a sexual or romantic advance.”

One staffer said she felt “obligated to wear” a necklace Edwards gave her and recalled he was disappointed when she stopped wearing it.

The report also details Edwards arranging a surprise birthday performance for a staffer, where a singer performed Ed Sheeran’s Hills of Aberfeldy and said it was “from a special someone.”

The staffer later told a friend she was “scared lowkey” because she believed Edwards no longer viewed her as “just a daughter figure.” (RELATED: Time Running Out For GOP As Congressman Faces Abuse Allegations)

After the staffers left his office, Edwards continued contacting them, including sending one a handwritten letter calling her “the most amazing woman” and saying she had “written a complex chapter in my heart that I will never stop reading.”

Edwards denied the letter was romantic, saying it reflected their relationship on “many different levels.”

Investigators also cited continued gifts and invitations, including a jigsaw puzzle inviting a former staffer to an Adam Sandler show for “dinner beforehand, or a drink or dessert afterwards.”

After cooperating with the investigation and waiving additional procedures, Edwards faced the committee’s recommendation that the House censure him for conduct it said failed to “reflect creditably upon the House.”

The Ethics Committee announced its investigation into Edwards in May after receiving complaints following its April 2026 public call for information about sexual misconduct in Congress, with allegations that he engaged in sexual harassment and fostered a “hostile work environment.”

Investigators interviewed 16 witnesses, reviewed nearly 1,500 pages of evidence, and obtained testimony from Edwards before voting July 22 to adopt the report and recommend his censure.

In a statement posted on X by Spectrum New’s Reuben Jones, Paul Shumaker, speaking on behalf of Chuck Edwards’ campaign, argued that the committee’s findings “completely exonerate Representative Edwards under the House rules governing sexual misconduct or harassment” and said they contradict the panel’s ultimate conclusion.

It notes that the committee determined he “neither engaged in sexual activity with nor explicitly propositioned any individual staff member,” that the allegations “do not implicate quid pro quo sexual harassment,” and that he “did not violate federal sexual harassment law.”

Shumaker did claim the committee staff effectively created their own rules through an interpretation “inconsistent with the written rule of law or House rules.”

It closes by saying Edwards looks forward to clearing his name and will push for full transparency so that “every member of Congress and the public can see the attempt to harm the Congressman who has brought no harm to others.”

Edwards represents North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District, a Republican-leaning seat with a Cook Partisan Voting Index of +5 for Republicans

In 2024, Edwards won reelection with 56.8% of the vote to 43.2% for his Democratic opponent.

He previously won the seat in 2022 by roughly 54% to 44%, and no Democrat has held the district since 2010, according to a report from The News & Observer.

The Daily Caller reached out to Edwards for comment but did not receive response in time for publication.