Tom Reed

It has been an emotional and trying start to this spring for U.S. Rep. Tom Reed.

Less than one month ago, the Corning Republican, his family and staff were in shock after a report surfaced from The Washington Post on March 19 that linked the representative to sexual misconduct with a 25-year-old woman in a Minneapolis pub in 2017. “This was nothing we were anticipating,” Reed said in a telephone interview with The Post-Journal and OBSERVER on Friday morning.

Within the next 48 hours, the congressman did something many other politicians do not: he took full responsibility. On the evening of March 21, Reed put out a humble and emotional statement that included revelations of a personal struggle with alcoholism.

“Addiction and recovery is such a demon,” he said in the phone interview. “So many have come to me (for support) and to share their struggles.”

Tuesday is a new beginning of sorts for Reed when he heads back to Washington and Congress. The tireless and loyal representative has faced the setback — with a good dose of truth and honesty. In doing so, many of his political efforts took a back seat. Things went silent.

Consider his social media accounts. Through Friday, the last posting came on March 22. His press office also has been subdued.

These actions give insight into a man seeking forgiveness, strength and love. As big a responsibility as he shoulders overseeing a 13-county District 23 that runs from Chautauqua County to just outside Binghamton, reconnecting with family and rallying staff took on the greatest importance– even if it had to be behind the scenes.

If there is one thing constituents have learned through his service here is he has never backed down. Town hall meetings filled with opposition never forced a cancellation or early exit by Reed. A brick thrown through his office window in Corning also brought a desire to work harder and find compromise.

But this 2017 piece of the past was much more personal. It was evident in his voice as he noted he is “slowly getting back to a schedule.”

Starting next week, things are very different. Already, he has taken on less of a leadership role in the Problem Solvers’ Caucus, an issue that is very close to Reed’s heart. In addition, an investigation into the misconduct allegations was opened Friday afternoon by the Ethics Committee.

Despite many Democrats seeing Reed as only a Trump follower, there also has been times he has come across as a moderate. Reed was one of the first Republicans to accept President Joe Biden’s November victory and also was outspoken about the insurrection event that occurred on Jan. 6 at the Capitol calling the event “disheartening.”

His newest mission, however, could be one of the most important — and very personal to his future: he plans to put a priority on “recovery and renewal.”

“We need to focus on the issue of recovery and addiction,” the congressman said. “So many people have reached out to me from all walks of life.”

This new focus is what ultimately led to his decision to issue that March 21 statement he personally wrote. He said disputing the incident, for him, was never part of the equation. “When dealing with recovery … (denial) puts me in an unhealthy position,” he said.

During his first public interview since the reported revelations, Reed was everything you would have expected him to be. He was sincere, remorseful, humble and even sounded as if he was breaking into tears at times. His political beliefs that have been so public over the last 11 years now mirror his personal suffering that many did not know existed.

Reed has always portrayed himself as being in control, no matter what the situation. Now, with the recent revelation, Reed admits “we are rebuilding.”

With that being the case, the congressman notes, he still has plenty to do in the coming 20 months. “Our commitment is to serve people,” he said. “That’s always been a top priority.

“That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”