Texas Republican Rep. Joe Barton has reversed his decision to seek re-election after revelations about his extramarital, primarily online relationship with a woman were reported last week, The Dallas Morning News reports. One of the sexually explicit photos Barton sent to the woman was published online, and The Washington Post obtained a 2015 tape of him threatening to report the woman to the Capitol Police after their relationship ended. The case has raised questions about the situation being an instance of "revenge porn," with lawmakers announcing bipartisan legislation that would make the crime a federal offense this week.
Barton, 68, had said three weeks ago that he would seek an 18th term. On Thursday, he explained his decision, saying: "There are enough people who lost faith in me that it's time to step aside and let there be a new voice for the sixth district in Washington, so I am not going to run for re-election."
Separately, on Thursday House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called for Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) to resign over sexual harassment allegations. Barton's situation differs because "none of Barton's accusers have said he engaged in sexual harassment or abuse of power," writes The Dallas Morning News.