Top

David Wu

July 26, 2011 by · Comments Off on David Wu 

David WuDavid Wu, Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.), who faces charges of ethics for having “aggressive and unwanted” sex with the teenage daughter of a friend and political supporter, said on Tuesday he resigned.
“It’s time to hand the privilege of high office,” Wu said in a statement. “I can not take care of my family the way you want while serving in Congress and the fight against these serious allegations.” Over the weekend, reports began to surface about the alleged meeting took place in November 2010. Wu spoke first with Democratic leaders, including Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Saturday, after first hearing of the matter, said it was “extremely worrying” for her.

Pelosi then asked the Ethics Committee of the House to investigate the matter and, consequently, Wu began to come under intense scrutiny from his colleagues and constituents. In addition, Wu’s past behavior has concerned the campaign and congressional staff, leading some to resign en masse.

The pressure on Wu began to escalate further when the two Democratic senators from Oregon – Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley – called for his resignation.

In a joint statement issued today, said:

“The allegations against David Wu are discordant and unusually severe. While – like all Americans – deserve an opportunity to address these allegations and defend himself, our constituents in the First District of Oregon deserve a member of the House of Representatives, whose main objective is to fight for their interests, “he told the senators.

“This is a critical time for our state and our nation and Oregon need of every member of your congressional delegation to be effective. While no one has the pleasure to ask a colleague to resign, we can no longer be a representative effective for our constituents and should share in the best interest of Oregon, resign. ”

On Monday, Wu trusted his friend and Democratic House Committee Chairman Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), who in his advice to Wu said: “Dave, you have to do what is in the best interest his young family, and yourself, then the institution, in that order. ”

Larson also told Wu that “no good answers to this,” during their conversation.

Someone who speaks on behalf of Wu initially told the press on 7-term Congressman from Oregon would not resign, but would not seek reelection in 2012. Two elected Democratic officials had already announced his intentions to run against Wu before these recent allegations became public.

Wu district Congress has represented since 1999 is heavily Democratic and had won each of his previous races by margins of two digits.

Wu is the second Democratic House resigns for sexual indiscretions this year. In June, former Congressman Anthony Weiner (New York) resigned after sending inappropriate messages and pictures of several women through Twitter.

When Wu and his resignation is effective seat has been officially abandoned, Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber will call a special election.

Bottom