ALBANY — Rep. Tom Reed stated Sunday he would not run for reelection or for governor in 2022 after a girl accused him of inappropriate touching at a bar 4 years in the past.
The determination by the Corning Republican comes after Reed had spoken publicly in latest weeks about probably working for governor subsequent yr or whether or not to run for one more time period.
Instead, Reed stated he would keep on with a pledge he made when he was first elected in 2010 that he would solely serve for six phrases, which will end on the finish of 2022.
In an announcement, Reed apologized to former lobbyist Nicolette Davis after The Washington Post reported Friday that an intoxicated Reed rubbed her again, moved his hand outdoors her shirt, unfastened her bra and continued to grope her in a bar in Minneapolis.
“First, I apologize to Nicolette Davis,’ his 400-word assertion stated. “Even though I am only hearing of this matter as stated by Ms. Davis in the article now, I hear her voice and will not dismiss her.”
On Friday. Reed denied the allegations, however on Sunday he stated, “In reflection, my personal depiction of this event is irrelevant. Simply put, my behavior caused her pain, showed her disrespect and was unprofessional. I was wrong, I am sorry, and I take full responsibility.”
Reed, 49, additionally apologized to his household, “the people of the 23rd District, my colleagues, and those who have supported me for the harm this caused them.”
Reed represents a closely Republican district that runs throughout the Southern Tier—from the Pennsylvania border east via Elmira and north via Ithaca and into Ontario County. The district can be one which might be on the chopping block as a part of redistricting subsequent yr.
While a supporter of former President Donald Trump, Reed has additionally sought to succeed in throughout the aisle, serving as a co-leader of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus in Congress.
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Reed, probably the most senior member of the GOP House delegation in New York, stated the 2017 incident with Davis, now 29, a second lieutenant within the U.S. Army, occurred at a time when he was scuffling with alcoholism.
He stated he’s now 4 years sober of “that personal lifelong journey of recovery. With the support of my wife, kids and loved ones, professional help, and trust in a higher power, I continue that journey day-by-day.”
He stated his wrestle with habit is not an excuse for any misbehavior, however he plans to dedicate my time and a focus to creating amends for my previous actions and work with these additionally battling habit.
“As I’m going ahead, I will attempt to be a greater human being, proceed to combat for what I imagine in, and to make individuals’s lives higher in any method I can. I hope this formal apology is simply the beginning,” he continued.
Reed has been a chief critic of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat who faces a collection of sexually harassment allegations amongst former feminine aides, including one current one. Reed has additionally ripped Cuomo for the governor’s dealing with of COVID-19 deaths in nursing properties.
He instructed the USA TODAY Network New York last month he was critically contemplating a gubernatorial run.
But his statement Sunday said he would not run for any office next year, and “subsequently will be retiring from public service on January 2nd, 2023.”
Joseph Spector is the Government and Politics Editor for the USA TODAY Network’s Atlantic Group, overseeing coverage in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. He can be reached at JSPECTOR@Gannett.com or followed on Twitter: @GannettAlbany
