Republican congressman accused of sexual harassment won't seek reelection

REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

Rep. Blake Farenthold on Capitol Hill.

• Rep. Blake Farenthold won't seek reelection.
• He's been repeatedly accused of sexual harassment.

Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold said he won't seek reelection following multiple allegations of sexual harassment.

Though the Texas congressman said he won't resign, he announced that he will not run for reelection in 2018.

Over the past several weeks, new reports of Farenthold's harassment have emerged.

The Texas congressman used $84,000 of taxpayer dollars to settle a harassment claim by a former communications director, who said Farenthold told her had had "sexual fantasies" and "wet dreams" about her.

Another former senior aide told the House Ethics Committee that he sought medical and psychological counseling following Farenthold's bullying and harassment, which included lewd comments about women and frequently calling staffers "f--ktards."