Kihuen Says He Won't Seek Re-Election

LAS VEGAS, NV - One day after the House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations brought against Nevada Rep. Ruben Kihuen, the freshman congressman representing Nevada's 4th Congressional District has announced he will not run again in 2018.

In a statement first reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Kihuen said he won't seek re-election while maintaining his innocence. Kihuen said in his statement that he will fully cooperate with the Ethics Committee investigation.

Kihuen said he will vacate his seat next cycle because the accusations would distract from honest dialogue about campaign issues. The House Ethics Committee announced the investigation after two separate news pieces published accusations from women who say Kihuen made unwanted sexual advances. The first account, published in Buzzfeed, came from Kihuen's former campaign finance director during his 2016 congressional run. The second, published in The Nevada Independent, details alleged behavior Kihuen demonstrated towards a female lobbyist from 2013-2015 while he was a state senator.

Kihuen has denied any wrong. His full statement, provided to the media Saturday, is as follows:

"Nothing is more important to me than my family and serving my constituents. It is the greatest honor of my life to represent Nevada’s Fourth District as a Member of the United States House of Representatives.

"The support and encouragement of my constituents provides me with the strength and guidance to represent Nevada to the best of my abilities.

"I want to state clearly again that I deny the allegations in question. I am committed to fully cooperating with the House Ethics Committee and I look forward to clearing my name.

"Due process and the presumption of innocence are bedrock legal principles which have guided our nation for centuries, and they should not be lost to unsubstantiated hearsay and innuendo.

"However, the allegations that have surfaced would be a distraction from a fair and thorough discussion of the issues in a reelection campaign. Therefore, it is in the best interests of my family and my constituents to complete my term in Congress and not seek reelection."

Nevada's 4th Congressional District includes North Las Vegas and Mesquite and covers a large rural area of Nevada north of Las Vegas.

Image via Julie Jacobson/Associated Press