Nude photo, ‘sexting’ scandal force out Texas GOP congressman

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) announced Thursday that he will not seek reelection in 2018 after a nude selfie of him surfaced online. Barton, 68, says the photo, which was posted on an anonymous Twitter account, was taken while he was in a consensual relationship. His announcement comes a day after Tea Party organizer Kelly Canon revealed lewd text messages Barton sent her in 2012 and 2013 while he was still married to his second wife. As the scandal unfolded, several local GOP leaders called for Barton to step down. Barton, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and the vice chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, had announced plans to run for reelection earlier this month. As the ninth most senior member of the House, Barton has represented the 6th Congressional District in the suburbs of Dallas since 1984.