Oregon Rep. David Wu (D) announced Wednesday evening that he has notified Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) of his resignation, effective from 11:59 p.m.
Wu, who has been accused of having an “unwanted” sexual encounter with the teenage daughter of a campaign donor, announced that he would resign following a vote on the debt ceiling, which took place this week.
“Serving as a U.S. Congressman has been the greatest honor of my life,” Wu said in a statement. “There is no other job where you get up each day and ask, ‘How can I try to make the world a better place today?'”
“Particularly meaningful to me has been working for more and better investments in science and education,” Wu said. “Also, I believe that my support for people who struggle for human rights and civil liberties will ultimately bear fruit in a world that is more just and peaceful.”
“However great the honor and engaging the work, there comes a time to hand on the privilege of elected office — and that time has come,” Wu said.
