Republican wins seat of congressman who quit amid harassment claims

Republican Michael Cloud will become the newest member of Congress after winning a Texas special election Saturday to replace a GOP congressman who resigned amid sexual harassment claims. Cloud finished at the top of a crowded field that fought to represent the 27th District, a heavily conservative area along the Gulf Coast that President Donald Trump won by about 24 points in 2016.

The Latest: Cloud wins Texas race to succeed Farenthold

Former Republican county chairman Michael Cloud has emerged from a crowded field to win a special election to replace U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold. Farenthold resigned from Congress in April amid past sexual harassment allegations and revelations that he used $84,000 in taxpayer funds to settle them.

Polls close in special election to replace Texas GOP congressman

Polls closed Saturday evening in a Texas special election to replace a Republican congressman who resigned amid sexual harassment claims. A crowded field fought to represent the 27th Congressional District, a conservative area along the Gulf Coast that President Donald Trump won by about 24 points in 2016.

News Guide: Texas special election remains low profile

Texas' 27th Congressional District is holding its third election of the year with Saturday's special election to replace Republican U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold. He resigned in April amid allegations of sexual harassment, and word that he used $84,000 from a special House fund to settle a 2014 lawsuit stemming from them.

9 members of Congress in 6 months have lost their jobs over sex

Here's a depressing fact: Nine members of Congress have lost their jobs over allegations of sexual impropriety or related workplace misconduct since October. The latest: Rep. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., announced Friday he'll resign from Congress after reports he paid a secret settlement to a staffer to whom he allegedly confessed his love.

Voter redistricting: SCOTUS to hear third key case of term

"For as long as the 27th Congressional District in Texas has been embroiled in litigation over whether it was racially gerrymandered, Nick Gilby has been working on Democratic Party campaigns there. Those seven years, he says, have been 'like banging your head against a wall to see if you can move it.'

Congressman resigns after sexual harassment allegations

Rep. Blake Farenthold, a Texas Republican who faced pressure to resign after sexual harassment allegations - but said he would retire at the end of his current term instead - unexpectedly announced Friday he would step down effective immediately. "While I planned on serving out the remainder of my term in Congress, I know in my heart it's time for me to move along and look for new ways to serve," he said in a statement.

GOP lawmaker resigns, still owes $84,000 for sexual harassment settlement Source: Cox Media Group

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GOP Rep. Farenthold resigns after sexual harassment claims

Texas Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold abruptly resigned Friday, four months after announcing he wouldn't seek re-election amid sexual harassment allegations. "While I planned on serving out the remainder of my term in Congress, I know in my heart it's time for me to move along and look for new ways to serve," Farenthold said in a video statement, adding that his action was effective as of 5 p.m. In December, Farenthold had posted another video denying a former aide's 2014 accusations, including that he'd subjected her to sexually suggestive comments and behavior and then fired her after she complained.

Senate women in both parties pressure leaders for a vote on sexual harassment bill

In a bipartisan reproach, all 22 female U.S. senators Wednesday urged their leaders to bring to a vote measures meant to strengthen the hand of victims of sexual harassment on Capitol Hill. The Senate has so far declined to take up any effort.

Congress Calls For Investigation Into Obama Holdover Who Colluded With Unions

The chairman of a House investigative subcommittee asked the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Inspector General to investigate reports an Obama administration appointee may have violated anti-lobbying laws. Texas Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold wants EPA Inspector General Arthur Elkins to investigate Chemical Safety Board member Rick Engler's working with union activists to pressure Congress for funding.

Here’s how much Texas candidates raised in the state’s hottest U.S. House primaries

That was the deadline for U.S. House and Senate campaigns to file finance reports covering the last three months of 2017. Those watching the races closely are sure to pore over the mishmash of donations and expenditures to separate viable candidates from the long shots.

Lawmakers misbehaving? Let us see their names

Americans are being deluged with information about men accused of sexual harassment or assault. Since shocking revelations emerged about Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein in October, the Los Angeles Times notes, "a powerful person has been accused of misconduct at a rate of nearly once every 20 hours" - including such big names as Dustin Hoffman, Charlie Rose, Kevin Spacey, Matt Lauer and Garrison Keillor.