Anti-Gay “Family Values” Republican US House Rep To Retire In Wake Of Adultery And Abortion Scandals

The Associated Press reports:

Republican Congressman Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania has announced plans to retire at the end of this term — amid tawdry revelations of an extramarital affair. Murphy, who is in his eighth term, says in a statement Wednesday that he will “take personal time to seek help as my family and I continue to work through our personal difficulties.”

Murphy’s statement comes a day after a local newspaper published text messages indicating that the congressman, who opposes abortion, asked his mistress to get an abortion when he thought she was pregnant. It turned out she wasn’t. Murphy had recently acknowledged his affair with Shannon Edwards, which became public as a result of her divorce proceedings.

Murphy voted against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, against the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act, against the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and for a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. He has a 0% rating from the Human Rights Campaign. He has a 100% rating from the Family Research Council.