GOP Rep. Tim Murphy to retire after reports of affair

FILE - In this March 26, 2015, file photo, Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa. speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. Murphy who was caught up in affair scandal, announces he plans to retire at end of his current term. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Republican Congressman Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania has announced plans to retire at the end of this term — amid tawdry revelations of an extramarital affair.

Murphy, who is in his eighth term, says in a statement Wednesday that he will "take personal time to seek help as my family and I continue to work through our personal difficulties."

Murphy's statement comes a day after a local newspaper published text messages indicating that the congressman, who opposes abortion, asked his mistress to get an abortion when he thought she was pregnant. It turned out she wasn't.

Murphy had recently acknowledged his affair with Shannon Edwards, which became public as a result of her divorce proceedings.

Murphy represents a safe Republican district. He has focused on mental health issues in the House.