Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) will not seek another term, he announced on Thursday. Barton had served in the House of Representatives since 1985.
Earlier this month, a nude photo of Barton was shared on the internet by a woman with whom he had previously had a consensual relationship with. Barton divorced his second wife in 2015.
WASHINGTON (AP) _ Texas Republican Rep. Joe Barton says he will not seek re-election after nude photo of him was posted on social media.
— Ken Thomas (@KThomasDC) November 30, 2017
"I am announcing today that I will not seek re-election in 2018. To the people of the 6th District, thank you for your support and friendship," said Bartonin a statement.
After the image appeared on the internet, Barton apologized to his constituents and said he should have exercised "better judgment." He does not know who released the image.
On Twitter, some lamented that Barton was basically forced into retirement as a victim of "revenge porn." "Revenge porn" is when an incriminating photo is shared online by an ex-relationship as a way to humiliate the person in the photograph.
Revenge porn takes down a congressman. Welcome to the future. https://t.co/lR1tTClazL
— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) November 30, 2017
Terrible his career was so hurt by revenge porn https://t.co/a9pGyxDaRI
— CFPB Director, Sloth Division, Shoshana Weissmann (@senatorshoshana) November 30, 2017
BREAKING: Naked Selfie GOP Congressman Decides Not to Run Again in 2018.
— JT Badenov (@cbinflux) November 30, 2017
If Joe Barton’s decision helps to legitimize the use of revenge porn as a political weapon, it will be a huge mistake. https://t.co/Pg9fTonvz2
This is deranged stuff from @CNNi just now on #StateOfAmerica - Joe Barton put on the same level as Roy Moore, John Conyers, and Al Franken. Barton, a victim of revenge porn = sexual misconduct? Just gross #TTT pic.twitter.com/AUj7Q7DtTw
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) November 30, 2017
While Barton definitely should have been more careful with whom he was sexting, it's pretty disturbing that this was used to take down his career. Both himself and the woman were consenting adults in a relationship--he isn't a predator.
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