(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . North Carolina Republicans might have a pervert problem [1] ['Emily Singer'] Date: 2026-08-04 The House Ethics Committee on Monday recommended that GOP Rep. Chuck Edwards of North Carolina be censured, concluding a monthslong investigation that found he “engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers.” “While Representative Edwards denied that any of his conduct was intended as a sexual or romantic advance, his pattern of behavior would lead a reasonable observer to interpret it as such, including providing the young women with lavish and recurrent gifts, making comments regarding their appearance and dress, inviting them to intimate dinners and vacations, sending notes regarding his effusive affection, and inviting them to other activities as a way to spend time together,” the report said It added that Edwards gave the two aides “numerous” inappropriate gifts, including “jewelry totaling over $1,000, designer purses, guns, shoes, flowers, a laptop and cell phone, KitchenAid mixer, robotic vacuum, vacations, tickets to performances, and one-on-one dinners.” President Donald Trump carried Edwards’ 11th District by 9.5 percentage points in 2024, according to The Downballot. In another year, that would make this seat strongly Republican, but 2026 is shaping up to be a blue wave, and Edwards’ ethical problems could make him uniquely vulnerable in this rural Tar Heel State seat. Even before the House Ethics Committee dropped the findings of its investigation—which include detailed descriptions of Edwards’ pervy behavior toward young female aides, such as reportedly talking to them about going to strip clubs—nonpartisan political handicapping outlets moved Edwards’ race into more competitive territory. Jamie Ager, a farmer and Democratic candidate for North Carolina’s 11th District, walks through okra plants in August 2025. AP Both Inside Elections and the Cook Political report rated the race a “Lean Republican” contest before the report. But Edwards’ reported come-ons in texts to the young aides will likely be put in campaign advertising. And if he is indeed censured by the House, it will also provide yet more fodder for his Democratic opponent, farmer Jamie Ager. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which seeks to elect Democrats to the House, put Ager in its “Red to Blue” program for top-tier challengers who could flip GOP-held seats. The DCCC describes Ager as “a proud son of Western North Carolina and fourth-generation farmer.” “After Hurricane Helene, Jamie opened up his home and his farm to make sure those in need had a safe place to stay and food to eat—and when the time came, Jamie helped his neighbors repair their homes with his very own hands while Chuck Edwards abandoned North Carolinians,” the DCCC continued. Ultimately, Edwards is just the latest Republican whose personal conduct threatens districts that should otherwise be safely in the GOP column. The horrifying domestic-violence allegations against Ohio Republican Rep. Max Miller are imperiling his red-leaning seat. And in Florida, allegations of domestic violence, revenge porn, stolen valor, and overt corruption against GOP Rep. Cory Mills have put his deeply red seat in play. Given that 2026 is already a tough year for Republicans, having to defend seats like these due to GOP lawmakers’ alleged bad behavior is adding insult to injury. But Republicans had ample time to push aside these creeps—and they chose not to. In fact, Trump on Monday defended Miller, who served as a Trump aide before his ascension to Congress. “I know Max. He’s a good person. I mean, I always thought he was a very good person,” Trump said in the Oval Office, adding that the allegations against Miller are just “accusations.” Trump on Max Miller: It's a very sad thing. I know Max. He's a good person. I'm going to let the families figure that out. It's a very sad thing… but it's accusations and I'm gonna let them figure that out. pic.twitter.com/uY0WWyc2oP — Acyn (@Acyn) August 3, 2026 Ultimately, this is a problem of Republicans’ own making. And their comeuppance will be delivered in November in the form of losing their House majority. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/8/4/800079216/news/chuck-edwards-ethics-report-north-carolina/ Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/