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Kihuen had said he had no plans to resign
His announcement came after news of a House Ethics Committee investigation
Democratic Rep. Ruben Kihuen has announced he won’t run for re-election amid a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations that he sexually harassed two women.
“I want to state clearly again that I deny the allegations in question,” the Nevada congressman said in a statement. “I am committed to fully cooperating with the House Ethics Committee and I look forward to clearing my name.
“Due process and the presumption of innocence are bedrock legal principles which have guided our nation for centuries, and they should not be lost to unsubstantiated hearsay and innuendo,” his statement continued.
“However, the allegations that have surfaced would be a distraction from a fair and thorough discussion of the issues in a reelection campaign,” he said. “Therefore, it is in the best interests of my family and my constituents to complete my term in Congress and not seek reelection.”
The Las Vegas Review-Journal first reported KIhuen’s announcement Saturday.
The announcement comes a day after the committee released a letter noting that it has opened an investigation into Kihuen after members were made aware of “public allegations” that he “may have engaged in sexual harassment.”
The committee added that the investigation itself does not indicate that Kihuen engaged in sexual harassment.
BuzzFeed News reported allegations by a former campaign staffer, who said Kihuen made multiple unwanted advances last year, prompting her to quit his campaign.
Kihuen has repeatedly denied the allegations and said earlier this month he had no plans to resign.
Another woman, a lobbyist, alleged in a report published Wednesday by The Nevada Independent that Kihuen had touched her thighs or buttocks on multiple occasions.