Rep. Chuck Edwards sent a 23-page letter to his House colleagues on Thursday defending his relationships with two young female staffers and arguing that the recommended censure stems from an overbroad interpretation of House rules.

The North Carolina Republican, who dropped his reelection bid earlier this month after the House Ethics Committee recommended censure, maintained that his actions amounted to friendships and mentorship rather than misconduct. Edwards noted that the committee found he neither engaged in sexual activity with nor explicitly propositioned any staff member, and that no quid pro quo harassment occurred.

"Friendship is not misconduct. Generosity is not misconduct. Social interaction is not misconduct. Caring deeply about colleagues who have become important parts of your life is not misconduct," Edwards wrote in the letter obtained by NOTUS. He further stated that a compliment is not sexual misconduct and pushed back on the idea that his behavior could reasonably be interpreted as romantic.

The Ethics Committee released its report on August 3, concluding there was substantial reason to believe Edwards violated House rules through persistent unprofessional conduct toward the staffers. The panel detailed lavish gifts, personal texts, one-on-one dinners, and other interactions but explicitly stated it found no evidence of sexual activity or explicit propositions.

Edwards, who plans to complete his current term, has consistently denied wrongdoing and cooperated with the investigation. His letter also pointed out that he gave similar gifts to male staffers and that some recipients viewed the relationships as father-daughter or mentor-mentee in nature.

The full House is expected to consider the censure resolution after returning from recess, with a vote possible next month. Censure would require Edwards to stand in the chamber as the resolution is read aloud but would not remove him from office or strip committee assignments.

Edwards' decision to forgo reelection followed private pressure from GOP leaders concerned about the race in North Carolina's 11th District.