Texas Rep. Farenthold won’t seek re-election

Washington — Bowing to pressure from fellow Republicans, Texas Rep. Blake Farenthold said Thursday he would not seek re-election to a fifth term, apologizing for his angry outbursts but denying sexual harassment allegations.

In a five-minute video on his campaign’s Facebook page, Farenthold denied a former aide’s 3-year-old accusations that he’d subjected her to sexually suggestive comments and behavior and then fired her after she complained. But he apologized for an office atmosphere he said included “destructive gossip, offhand comments, off-color jokes and behavior that in general was less than professional.”

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., told reporters he’d spoken twice to Farenthold on Wednesday and suggested there were additional accusations that had yet to surface.

“Unacceptable behavior has been alleged in those stories, and I think he’s made the right decision that he’s going to be leaving Congress and that reflects some of the conversations we’ve had,” Ryan said.

Farenthold joins the list of lawmakers leaving Congress amid allegations of sexual misconduct that have also toppled powerful men in Hollywood, the media and sports. While Farenthold couldn’t survive the onslaught, a first-term Nevada Democrat continued to resist calls to step aside.

Rep. Ruben Kihuen, D-Nev., on Thursday faced a fresh accusation as a lobbyist claimed he touched her thighs and buttocks on several occasions and made unwanted sexual advances while he was a state senator. The Nevada Independent published the report but withheld her name.

The accusations came less than two weeks after a former staffer said Kihuen harassed her during his 2016 congressional campaign.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., reiterated her call for Kihuen to resign, but he said he will remain in office and would welcome an ethics investigation to clear his name.