Farenthold to not seek re-election

After seven years in Congress, U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas) will not run for re-election. Farenthold, who represents Texas Congressional Dist. 27, made the announcement Thursday Morning in a live address made across his campaign page on a social media platform.

"I'm announcing my decision not to run for re-election," Farenthold said in the video.

Farenthold went on to address the efforts of his office.

"Let me just say, I'm proud of the work I have done in my office and what we've accomplished,” he began. “We have worked to reduce the size of the federal government and our irresponsible national debt. We've ushered through congressional legislation to provide much-needed oversite of government agencies that have been wrought with allegations of fraud and abuse. And we have reduced regulatory burdens on America. We've fought to lower tax burdens on our constituents and fought even members of our own party to ensure Texas received the proper amount of disaster relief funding."

According to Farenthold, the work continues and he will finish out the remainder of his term.

"I am resolved over the coming days and weeks and months to institute meaningful changes in my official office," Farenthold said. "I owe that to everyone: my constituents; my family; and this institution."

Farenthold's announcement came on the heels of reports from the House Ethics Committee that it would open an investigation into Farenthold and whether he sexually harassed a former staffer, then retaliated against her when she reported his conduct.

The staffer, Lauren Greene, was fired from Farenthold's office in 2014. She filed a lawsuit against Farenthold later that year. Reports released earlier this month revealed Farenthold settled that suit in 2015 for $84,000 with taxpayer money.

Farenthold has said that he will repay the settlement. He has also denied the allegations against him.

Former staffers Michael Rekola and Elizabeth Peace have come forward during the investigation. Rekola has recounted incidents of angry outbursts, demeaning behavior and sexually explicit vulgarities.

“Every time he didn’t like something, he would call me a f**ktard or idiot. He would slam his fist down in rage and explode in anger,” Rekola told CNN. “He was flying off the handle on every little thing. I couldn’t find a way to control it.”

Rekola also recalled an incident several days before his wedding, where he claimed the congressman said, in front of staffers, “better have your finacée b**w you before she walks down the aisle - it will be the last time.”

Peace, who worked for Farenthold for two years, has referred to the work environment in Farenthold's office as "emotionally damaging."

"He allowed the hostility in his office to continue. He allowed us to work in a place that was just emotionally damaging, and that should never be allowed in any office," Peace, told the Houston Chronicle.

Farenthold has served Texas’ 27th congressional district since Jan. 3, 2011, an area that includes Aransas, Calhoun, Jackson, Lavaca, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, Victoria and Wharton counties as well as parts of Bastrop, Caldwell, Gonzales and San Patricio counties.

As of press time, six candidates have filed for that seat in the upcoming Republican primary while four have filed on the Democratic ticket, though as of press time, the Democratic list was uncertified.