WASHINGTON – New York Republican Representative Tom Reed said Sunday he would not run for political office in 2022, including the governor, after a former lobbyist accused him of improperly touching her during a 2017 political weekend trip.
In a lengthy statement, 49-year-old Reed, who was first elected to Congress in 2010, apologized to former lobbyist Nicolette Davis, whose story was reported on Friday by the Washington Post. Mr Reed said that he took “full responsibility” for the episode and that it “occurred at a time in my life when I was struggling with an alcohol addiction”.
“Although I am only hearing of this matter now, as stated by Ms. Davis in the article, I hear her voice and I will not discharge her,” said Mr. Reed. “In reflection, my personal portrayal of this event is irrelevant. Simply put, I caused her pain, showed her disrespect, and was unprofessional. I was wrong, I am sorry and I take full responsibility. “
Prior to Ms. Davis’ allegation, Mr Reed was publicly considering running for governor in 2022, telling Fox News in February that he had been targeting an offer like Governor Andrew M. Cuomo over a wave of allegations of sexual harassment and other wrongdoing. Mr Reed also said Sunday that he would not run for re-election to his seat in Congress, referring to a promise he made to voters when he was first elected for just six terms.
Ms. Davis told The Post that when she was a 25-year-old lobbyist for Aflac insurance company, Mr. Reed pounded her after a day of ice fishing with donors, politicians and lobbyists in an Irish pub in Minneapolis. While he was drunk, Mr. Reed put his hand on her back, she said, untying her bra through her blouse and moving his hand over her thigh before Ms. Davis asked the man next to her to intervene.
After their allegations were made public on Friday, Mr. Reed said in a statement that the “account of my actions is incorrect,” but did not directly elaborate or deny the encounter.
