Kissing congressman won't seek re-election
updated at 3:30pm
(CNN) - Republican Rep. Vance McAllister, who was caught on video kissing an aide in his office, will not run for re-election in November.
"As I've said before, there's no doubt I've made a mistake. I've failed those I care most about and let down the people who elected me to represent them. I take full responsibility for this personal failure and I'm truly sorry for what I've done. I have taken this time to reconcile with my wife and kids and I'm forever grateful for their support and forgiveness," said McAllister in a statement Monday.
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"The people of the Fifth District of Louisiana need and deserve a voice in Washington. Today, I am announcing that I will not seek re-election, but I will continue to be that voice and will uphold the office to which I was elected to serve for the remainder of my term," McAllister added.
Louisiana GOP Chairman Roger Villere, who had previously called on McAllister to resign, said in a statement he would "have liked to see Rep. McAllister close this chapter sooner" but added he "was happy to hear of his decision to do what is best for his family and his constituents."
"Now that this situation is behind us, I am confident that voters in the 5th District will choose a strong conservative candidate in November," he said.
After The Ouachita Citizen in West Monroe, Louisiana, published a surveillance video of the incident, the married Louisiana congressman issued a statement earlier this month.
"There's no doubt I've fallen short and I'm asking for forgiveness. I'm asking for forgiveness from God, my wife, my kids, my staff, and my constituents who elected me to serve," he said.
McAllister was elected in a November 2013 special election to fill the vacancy left by GOP Rep. Rodney Alexander's resignation. McAllister campaigned as a Christian conservative.
He represents the state's 5th Congressional District. The filing deadline is August 22.
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CNN's Ashley Killough, Deirdre Walsh and Steve Brusk contributed to this report.
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Vance should look at the bright side. At least it didn't come out that he had he had ladies of the evening (or afternoon, or morning-you get the idea) dress him in diapers like Vitter. And the woman he kissed apparently hasn't been found hanging by her neck like Vitter's D.C. madam. Now, who is next for the Daffy Duck Dynasty imprimatur of goodness and light.
Just saying, another Christian conservative, quite the lineup your gop has, lmao.
Another republican falling of grace!
When are these GOP teaparty CLOWNS going to stop thinking they are some kind of royalty that once they get elected , we all need to BOW DOWN to them after getting elected to the GOP controlled house and biggest DISGRACE in American history--next to the GOP john birch society KOCH BRO s.
Its funny, as the new campaign season begins, the parties attempt to remove the bottom of the barrel so they have a stronger election year. It is always amazing though how, after all this ';filtering' work, the [R] party is always somehow left with the likes of Palin, Atkins, Murdoch, Perry kicking around as live candidates.
Just think back to the heartily amusing clown-car show put on by the [R] party in the 2012 presidential primaries!!....all these candidates were the clowns that were left AFTER the party had already supposedly weeded out the worst?!!!!!! You have got to be kidding me.......
The females in his Congressional District (and the gay males) must be heartbroken!
Maybe he can run for Director of the "Christian Conservative Family Values" committee so he can tell everyone else how to behave.
@Rudy
"Oh, I'd say that they are, and that they're doing a thorough job of it, too. As long as you can pass the thought police's highly stringent "one of us" tests, then you're good to go. They're just not testing for the same stuff that you would."
Oh, you got that right. Look at the vetting process done on palin... they googled her and watched videos of a couple of her speeches. They decided, yep, she's on the same page... hates Dems, willing to lie without compunction, and got the whole 'Holier than thou' thing down pat... let's run her. This shallow and seriously flawed vetting process has led to this... many politicians being elected who shouldn't have even gotten out on a pass from whatever In-patient facility they were attending.
Anyone who can listen to willie gomert, bachmann, santorum, or cruz and NOT have your mental health radar going into the red zone... well, you need to get your MH radar fixed, because there is something seriously wrong with some of these folks.
Obviously he wasn't conservative enough !
How many children did he bless the world with ?
I'm sure this wasn't the first time he'd been unfaithful – just the first time he got caught on video. And I love the way he talks about it like he wasn't aware before he got caught that he'd been doing something wrong. Pathetic! I hope his wife divorces him and takes him to the cleaners.
Wow, 2 Republican Congressmen in one day!
P.S. Further advice to his wife: Get tested for STDs.
I believe that Jason Collins was a bit much. But then Michael Sam showed up and for that reason Rep. McAlister felt he had to prove himself manly. Therefore, it's "the gays" fault that he's brought shame to his family and may end up divorced.
Another example of Republican clowns. The family values party, y-e-a-h – how about NOT?
They are coming out of the woodwork – this idiot and NY Congressman Grimm today. .. and they wonder why the public has a low regard for politicians!
As a staunch FDR New Deal democrat I was hoping he'd stay and run. Well, the next radical GOP'r will be another opportunity to get real.
Whew. We're all safe now.
Maybe we should pass a law that all congressmen must take antiandrogen drugs once they take office.
who the DUCK BOYS gonna back this time ? another conservative LYING CHEAT ?
I wouldn't ridicule his religion but he put it out there first and "campaigned as a Christian conservative".
So we all get to call him on it and hopefully voters will realize that those who tend to advertise their religion often are just using it to get votes. Or to establish laws in accordance with their specific religion which is wrong too.
At least you are doing the right thing.
David Vitter should take notice.
"I've failed those I care most about ". Himself, that's who he cares about.
Democrats are quick to forget their philandering politicians (ahem, President Clinton, I'm looking in your direction) when a rino gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar. At least this guy didn't spunk on a girl's dress and then ask us what 'is' means.
Vance made two mistakes. 1-kissed & got caught. 2-Dared to speak agianst Bobby Jindal & the other"Christian" Repub. leaders in La. on denying 235,000 Working Poor in La. of Medcaid Coverage. The First & Second Offenses cost him his Seat. The First will create Family Problems. The Second will help him earn a Place in the Kingdom of God, Matthew 25,35.
Why he is not resigning???