Rep. Tim Murphy To Resign From Congress Amid Affair Scandal
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WASHINGTON (KDKA) - Rep. Tim Murphy plans to resign from Congress amid the scandal surrounding his affair.
Murphy sent the following letter to House Speaker Ryan Paul:
"Dear Mr. Speaker:
Upon further discussion with my family, I have made the decision to resign my position as Member of the House of Representatives for Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District, effective Oct. 21, 2017.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have served the people of southwestern Pennsylvania and to have worked with the talented and dedicated men and women of the United States Congress.
Sincerely,
Tim Murphy"
House Speaker Paul Ryan posted the following statement online Thursday afternoon:
"This afternoon I received a letter of resignation from Congressman Tim Murphy, effective October 21. It was Dr. Murphy's decision to move on to the next chapter of his life, and I support it. We thank him for his many years of tireless work on mental health issues here in Congress and his service to the country as a naval reserve officer."
Watch David Highfield's report --
Last month, Murphy confessed to having an affair with "a personal friend."
Murphy came under fire earlier this week after reports that he urged the woman with whom he was having the affair to get an abortion during a pregnancy scare last January. The congressman had been endorsed by LIFEPAC for his strong anti-abortion views.
Murphy released a statement Wednesday saying that he did not plan to seek reelection at the end of his current term.
In the statement, he had said, "I plan to spend my remaining months in office continuing my work as the national leader on mental health care reform, as well as issues affecting working families in southwestern Pennsylvania."
People in Murphy's district in Mount Lebanon had mixed opinions about whether the resignation is the right move.
"That's probably a good decision," said a woman named Denise who did not want her last name used. "He and his family probably need that time. I think he's wise to do it."
KDKA's David Highfield: "What did you think when you heard about this text situation behind the scenes?"
"I was very disappointed to hear that, you know, it's very difficult when someone says they believe this and act in a totally different way," she said.
Another constituent, Denise Kochanek of Mount Lebanon, also agreed with him stepping down.
"I think it is a good thing given the things we've just read about and have occurred. I think he's making a good choice," she said.
But not everyone thought the resignation was necessary.
"I think he's a good guy," said Tom Harvey of Mount Lebanon. "I think politicians do this sort of thing all the time. Who knows what the truth is or what people really stand for. I think he's represented this district very effectively, and I think he should stay in office."
Gov. Tom Wolf will set a date for a special election to fill Murphy's term.
Murphy has not yet released a statement announcing his resignation.
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