Texas Republican drops re-election bid after affair with woman once married to IS leader

Van Taylor acknowledges horrible mistake that has caused deep hurt and pain' and abruptly halts bid for third congressional term

A Texas Republican congressman apologized and dropped his bid for re-election on Wednesday, after revelations of an affair with a British woman who was once married to an Islamic State leader.

Van Taylor, who was bidding for a third term in the US House of Representatives, said: About a year ago, I made a horrible mistake that has caused deep hurt and pain among those I love most in this world. I had an affair, it was wrong, and it was the greatest failure of my life."