Rep Pat ​Meehan Not Seeking Reelection​

Congressman Pat Meehan, who made headlines recently for allegedly using taxpayer money to settle a complaint from a former aide, will not seek reelection, according to multiple reports.

In a letter to his campaign manager, the 62-year-old Republican called the allegations a "major distraction," the Washington Post reported.

"It is clear to me, that under the current conditions, any campaign I would run would not be decided over vital issues but would likely devolve into an ugly spectacle of harsh rhetoric," the letter reads. "I do not believe that is in the best interest of the constituents I represent.

The decision is not surprising considering the mounting pressure Meehan was facing from Democrats and the news that his heavily-gerrymandered 7th District, which covers parts of Delaware, Montgomery, Chester, Berks, and Lancaster counties, would be redrawn, per the PA Supreme Court.

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf called for Meehan to resign following the New York Times report and said the House should investigate "how this matter was handled from top to bottom."

Meehan was removed from the House Ethic Committee by Speaker Paul Ryan following the revelations.

In a recent interview, Meehan said the former female aide from which the allegations stem was his "soul mate" and denied the accusations.

With Meehan, who was running for his fifth term, stepping out of the race, the sole Republican filed for the May primary is Joe Billie.

Democrats running in the primary are State Rep. Daylin Leach, Shelley Chauncey, Drew McGinty, Elizabeth Moro, Dan Muroff, and Molly Sheehan.

Image via United State House of Representatives