Anti-Abortion Congressman Who Urged His Mistress to Have an Abortion Won't Seek Re-Election [UPDATED]

House Representative Tim Murphy, a Republican from Pennsylvania’s 18th District, announced on Wednesday that he would not seek re-election. Murphy’s announcement comes a day after the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that he begged his mistress to have an abortion — despite his vocal anti-abortion stance.

Murphy, who co-sponsored a bill banning abortions after 20 weeks that was recently approved by the House, said in statement that he plans to retire after his eighth term in congress.

“After discussions with my family and staff, I have come to the decision that I will not seek re-election to Congress at the end of my current term,” the statement read.

No word on whether Murphy’s anti-abortion crusade will persist, but he did emphasize his dedication to his family. Shocking! “In the coming weeks I will take personal time to seek help as my family and I continue to work through our personal difficulties and seek healing,” he said. “I ask you to respect our privacy during this time.”

On the flip side, Murphy’s district is now up for grabs. Despite Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee Steve Stivers’ opinion that the 18th district will remain “under Republican control next year,” it’s entirely plausible that a Democrat will win his seat. There are currently three Democratic candidates hoping to win Murphy’s seat, however the last time the 18th district went blue was 2000 — two years before Murphy’s incumbency began.

Update, 10/5: House Representative Tim Murphy resigned on Thursday, less than a day after announcing he would not seek re-election.