Representative Chuck Edwards, Republican of North Carolina, announced overnight that he was dropping his re-election bid.

“After much prayer and reflection, I’ve decided to withdraw from my re-election campaign,” Mr. Edwards wrote on social media at 3:32 a.m. Wednesday. “I will complete my current term.”

The decision came after the House Ethics Committee had recommended on Monday that he be censured for “persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers.”

Democrats had been targeting Mr. Edwards’s heavily Republican seat this fall and were bullish on their chances given the scandal.