TEXAS – Texas Representative Blake Farenthold is withdrawing from the 2018 race amid sexual harassment allegations.

According to the Associated Press, Farenthold is not seeking re-election after his former aid said he witnesses repeated vulgar and abusive behavior from the congressman.

The House Ethics Committee is investigating the sexual harassment allegations against the embattled Republican.

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Michael Rekola, who was Farenthold's communications director in 2015, describes the congressman as verbally abusive and sexually demeaning.

Rekola said he gave his two weeks’ notice after Farenthold made sexually crude comments about his wife.

The Ethics Committee refused to comment on Rekola's statements.

In 2014, another former communications director for Farenthold sued him for sexual harassment which ended with a settlement. Farenthold used $84,000 in taxpayer funds to settle the lawsuit.

Farenthold has previously denied any wrongdoing.

The Texas Democratic Party Executive Director Crystal K. Perkins said “The fact is, Farenthold has violated the public trust and shown a pattern of demeaning, degrading, and disrespectful conduct towards women.”

Farenhold's Statement: