Skip to content

Report: Meehan Still Running for Re-election Amid Sexual Harassment Probe

Meehan said he told his former staffer they were soul mates

Pennsylvania Rep. Patrick Meehan announced his retirement under a cloud of sexual misconduct allegation. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Pennsylvania Rep. Patrick Meehan announced his retirement under a cloud of sexual misconduct allegation. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Rep. Patrick Meehan told the Philadelphia Inquirer on Tuesday that he is still running for re-election amid a sexual harassment investigation. He said he expressed “affection” for a former staffer and told her they were soul mates, but he is still denying that he sexually harassed her. 

The New York Times first reported over the weekend that Meehan used an undisclosed amount of taxpayer funds to settle a sexual harassment case brought by his former staffer, who has not yet been named. Meehan told the Inquirer that he would repay the settlement if the House Ethics Committee finds that he did harass the staffer.

Meehan said he told the aide “that I was a happily married man and I was not interested in a relationship, particularly not any sexual relationship, but we were soul mates.”

The House Ethics Committee on Monday opened an investigation into Meehan’s case. Meehan was removed from the committee after the New York Times report published on Saturday. 

Meehan also said he is still planning to run for a fourth term.

Democrats are targeting the 7th District in the Philadelphia suburbs, which Hillary Clinton won by 2 points in 2016. Following the allegations, Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales shifted the 7th District race rating from Likely to Leans Republican.

Recent Stories

A look at the health priorities of incoming Senate Democrats

A look at new GOP senators on health policy

Latta eyes top GOP spot on Energy and Commerce panel

A look at those who could be on Trump’s health team short list

At the Races: The big sort

Biden to nation: accept ‘will of the people’ and Trump win