David Wu officially resigns seat amid sex allegationsRep. David Wu of Oregon is mobbed by reporters on his way to a meeting of the House Democratic caucus earlier this week. Wu resigned his seat Wednesday.

Embattled Rep. David Wu had said he would leave office as soon as the debt-ceiling crisis was resolved. Wednesday night, the Oregon Democrat was true to his word, officially resigning as of 11:59 p.m.

Wu has been accused of an “unwanted” sexual encounter with the teenage daughter of a campaign donor. Unlike former Rep. Anthony Weiner of New York, Wu appeared to have no desire to drag his party through a scandal and once the allegations surfaced last week, he said he would soon depart.

Earlier this week, Oregon’s two Democratic senators, Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, turned up the heat, telling Wu after the president signed the debt-ceiling compromise bill to get on with the business of getting out.

“Serving as a U.S. Congressman has been the greatest honor of my life. 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?’” Wu said in a statement released by his office. “Particularly meaningful to me has been working for more and better investments in science and education. 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,” he said.

A special election to replace Wu may not be held until early next year, with a primary likely coming in November.

Copyright © 2011, Los Angeles Times

 

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