GOP Rep. Tom Reed Apologizes For Misconduct, Will Not Seek Reelection

U.S. Representative Tom Reed (R, NY) has apologized to a female former lobbyist who accused him of rubbing her back and unhooking her bra without consent, and he has announced that he will not seek reelection in 2022.

In a statement on Friday, Reed said that the 2017 incident occurred “at a time in my life in which I was struggling.” He also said that he entered treatment that year and saw that he was “powerless over alcohol.”

Nicolette Davis, who was a 25-year-old lobbyist for insurer Aflac at the time, made the allegations public through The Washington Post. In her account, Davis said that the 49-year-old Reed was sitting next to her at a Minneapolis bar when he “unhooked her bra from outside her blouse and moved his hand to her thigh.”

“A drunk congressman is rubbing my back,” she reportedly texted a co-worker at Aflac that evening, adding later, “HELP HELP.”

Though Reed disputes the details of her account, his statement said, “In reflection, my personal depiction of this event is irrelevant. Simply put, my behavior caused her pain, showed her disrespect and was unprofessional. I was wrong, I am sorry, and I take full responsibility.”

Along with Davis, the Congressman also apologized to his wife and children.

Reed had been among the members of Congress calling for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) to resign over sexual harassment allegations, even suggesting that he might run against the Democrat should he seek reelection. On The Hill, Reed voted against impeaching former President Donald Trump after the Capitol insurrection but for certifying the 2020 election results with President Joe Biden.