U.S. Representative Tom Reed, a Republican from Western New York, who was indicted last week to rub a female lobbyist’s back in 2017 and take off her bra without her permission, the woman apologized Sunday and announced he would not run for re-election next year.
Reed, 49, said in a statement that the incident involving then-lobbyist Nicolette Davis took place “at a time in my life in which I was struggling.” He said he came into treatment that year and realized he was ‘powerless over alcohol’.
Reed apologized to his wife and children and Davis, saying he planned to “devote my time and attention to correcting my actions in the past.”
Reed, who was first elected to Congress in 2010, was among members of Congress who demanded that Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo resign over allegations of sexual harassment. In late February, Reed said he was seriously considering running for governor against Cuomo should the Democrat elect a fourth term next year.
Reed said in his statement on Sunday that he would not seek an election office in 2022.
The announcement comes two days after The Washington Post reported the allegations of Davis, who was 25 and a lobbyist for insurer Aflac, when she said Reed, next to her in a bar in Minneapolis, unhooked her bra from outside her blouse and his hand to her thigh.
“A drunken congressman is rubbing my back,” she sent an employee at Aflac that evening, later saying, “HELP HELP.”
Reed issued a statement Friday, saying, “This version of my actions is not accurate.”
In his statement Sunday, he said: “In my reflection, my personal portrayal of this event is irrelevant. Simply put, my behavior caused her pain, showed her disrespect and was unprofessional. I was wrong, I’m sorry, and I take full responsibility. ”
A former mayor of Corning, New York, Reed is co-chair of the House of Representatives’ dual Problem Solvers Caucus.
He voted against accusing former President Donald Trump in January, but voted to certify Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 election.