‘Kissing Congressman’ Vance McAllister Changes Mind, Will Seek Reelection

Congressman Vance McAllister, who was caught on video kissing a staffer, said Monday he would run for reelection in November despite saying previously he would resign.

The freshman Republican who represents the 5th district of Louisiana was caught on video kissing an aide outside of his district office in December. After the video was leaked to a local paper in April, McAllister said he would serve out his term and not seek reelection. On Monday, he changed his mind.

Before a “special press conference” to announce his decision, McAllister told the News-Star he trusted the district’s voters to decide if they wanted to send him back to congress.

“I wanted to make sure everything was good with our family,” McAllister said. “Our family is stronger than ever, so I think the people should decide whether or not I continue to represent them.”

McAllister said he would not continue addressing the scandal during his campaign.

“I’ve publicly apologized to the people in the 5th District and more importantly worked through it with my family,” he said. “I’ve said all I’m going to say about it. Now it’s up to the voters.”

McAllister won a special election on November 16 to replace Rep. Rodney Alexander (R). He won in the heavily Republican district by touting his conservative credentials, including his 16-year marriage and Christian faith.

The staffer was identified as Melissa Anne Hixon Peacock, his district scheduler who is also married to a friend of Mcallister, reported the Huffington Post.

“I’m just freaking devastated by the whole deal, man. I loved my wife so much. I cannot believe this. I cannot freaking believe it. I feel like I’m going to wake up here in a minute and this is all going to be a bad nightmare,” her husband Heath Peacock said. “He has wrecked my life.”

Hixon Peacock voluntarily resigned after the video came out, according McAllister’s chief of staff Adam Terry.

As previously reported in The Inquisitr, McAllister said at the time, “There’s no doubt I’ve fallen short and I’m asking for forgiveness,” in a statement. “I’m asking for forgiveness from God, my wife, my kids, my staff, and my constituents who elected me to serve.”

He added, “While I realize I serve the public, I would appreciate the privacy given to my children as we go through this.”

McAllister said Monday that his initial decision to not seek reelection because it was the right move for his family at the time. After consulting with his wife Kelly, he decided to run again.

“It’s nor about flip-flopping,” he said. “It’s not about playing games. It’s about giving people the choice and being true to ourselves and moving forward.”

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