Representative Pat Meehan announced today that he is resigning – effective immediately – from Congress following allegations he sexually harassed a former staffer.
The Philidelphia-area Republican said he intends to repay the $39,000 he owes in taxpayer dollars used to settle his harassment case.
Roll Call has Meehan’s official statement:
“While I do believe I would be exonerated of any wrongdoing, I also did not want to put my staff through the rigors of an Ethics Committee investigation and believed it was best for them to have a head start on new employment rather than being caught up in an inquiry,” Meehan said in a statement. “And since I have chosen to resign, the inquiry will not become a burden to taxpayers and committee staff.”
Meehan’s resignation will take effect Friday. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has 10 days to declare a special election, which must occur at least 60 days after the governor’s announcement. The nominees for a special election are chosen by party leaders, rather than through a direct primary election.
A competitive race is already underway for the open seat in the Philadelphia suburbs, which is now favorable to Democrats after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court imposed a new congressional map.
Roll Call’s political prognosticators rate the race Likely Democratic.
AAN Staff
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