A married House Republican, who ran on a devout Christian conservative platform, apologized Monday after a video surfaced that reportedly shows him kissing an aide.
"There's no doubt I've fallen short and I'm asking for forgiveness. I'm asking for forgiveness from God, my wife, my kids, my staff, and my constituents who elected me to serve,” said Rep. Vance McAllister in a statement. “Trust is something I know has to be earned.” He added, “I promise to do everything I can to earn back the trust of everyone I've disappointed.”
A local newspaper, The Ouachita Citizen, posted a clip online of a man they claim is the freshman congressman. The paper said they obtained the video, allegedly shot at McAllister’s district office, from an anonymous source. It was recorded on December 23, 2013.
McAllister, a married father of five, didn’t mention the extramarital encounter in his apology. “I ran for Congress to make a difference and not to just be another politician,” he said. “I don't want to make a political statement on this, I would just simply like to say that I'm very sorry for what I've done.”
The woman reportedly seen being embraced by the politician on the surveillance tape has been identified as district scheduler Melissa Anne Hixon Peacock, who is also married.
The congressman requested privacy during this time as he sorts out the matter with his family.
McAllister won his seat after a special election last November. His congressional predecessor, Rep. Rodney Alexander, resigned to work in the administration of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.