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Kissing congressman won’t seek re-election

Posted at 2:56 PM, Apr 28, 2014
and last updated 2014-04-28 14:56:15-04

(CNN) — Republican Rep. Vance McAllister, who was caught on video kissing an aide in his office, will not run for re-election in November, according to CNN affiliate KNOE.

Louisiana GOP Chairman Roger Villere, who had previously called on McAllister to resign, said in a statement he would “have liked to see Rep. McAllister close this chapter sooner” but added he “was happy to hear of his decision to do what is best for his family and his constituents.”

“Now that this situation is behind us, I am confident that voters in the 5th District will choose a strong conservative candidate in November,” he said.

After The Ouachita Citizen in West Monroe, Louisiana, published a surveillance video of the incident, the married Louisiana congressman issued a statement earlier this month.

“There’s no doubt I’ve fallen short and I’m asking for forgiveness. I’m asking for forgiveness from God, my wife, my kids, my staff, and my constituents who elected me to serve,” he said.

McAllister was elected in a November 2013 special election to fill the vacancy left by GOP Rep. Rodney Alexander’s resignation. McAllister campaigned as a Christian conservative.

He represents the state’s 5th Congressional District. The filing deadline is August 22.

CNN’s Ashley Killough, Deirdre Walsh and Steve Brusk contributed to this report.