Kevin McCarthy and Rep. Renee Ellmers Deny Affair Allegations

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers thanked fellow Republicans for their support on Friday, after many received emails alleging an affair between her and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

Kevin McCarthy and Renee Ellmers Deny Affair

Rep. Ellmers reportedly stood up to speak in an open-microphone portion of a closed-door House meeting being held the morning after McCarthy surprised the House, by taking his name out of contention to become the next speaker.

According to two Republicans in the closed-door meeting, Ellmers thanked the lawmakers for their prayers and said she was sorry they had received the emails. She allegedly described the messages as “batsh–t crazy.”

“As someone who has been targeted by completely false accusations and innuendo, I have been moved by the outpouring of support and prayers from my colleagues, constituents and friends. Now I will be praying for those who find it acceptable to bear false witness,” Ellmers said later in an official statement.

McCarthy denied earlier this week that his choice to withdraw from the speaker’s race was due to a letter from a lawmaker, demanding that any candidate with misdeeds in his past should bow out.