Rep. Gresham Barrett (R-S.C.) stepped down from the House ethics committee Thursday, but declined Friday to provide an explanation for his decision.

“We’re prohibited to comment on any issues in regard to the Congressman’s involvement with the committee,— said Barrett spokeswoman Emily Tyner, referring to House ethics rules.

The South Carolina lawmaker announced in March his gubernatorial candidacy. He will not seek re-election to the House in 2010.

Tyner confirmed Barrett does not plan to resign from the House before the end of his current term.

Republicans tapped Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) to fill the seat on the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. McCaul served on the ethics committee in the 110th Congress.