Former CWU political science professor Dr. Matt Manweller was accused late last week of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old high school student in 1997 when he was at least 10 years older. Manweller has denied the allegations.

In the wake of the latest allegations, first reported by the Northwest News Network, Republican leadership in the state has asked Manweller to resign from his representative office. He declined the resignation request and explained the reason in a statement on Monday.

“I will serve out the remainder of my term but it is not my intent to serve another term,” said Manweller in his statement. “If I am re-elected, I plan to resign before the session begins or whatever the law requires.”

Manweller will remain on the ballot in the upcoming midterm elections for the 13th district, running against democrat Sylvia Hammond. Although he said he will not serve another term, Manweller cited the importance of his re-election so he can be replaced by another republican.

These latest allegations continue what has been a summer filled with other accounts of inappropriate conduct by the Washington representative. In mid-August, CWU concluded a nearly yearlong investigation into allegations by former students of Manweller of inappropriate behavior. The university terminated his employment effective immediately.

Manweller also denied these accounts and claimed the university’s decision to be politically motivated.

Manweller has since then filed a lawsuit against CWU for wrongful termination.

Despite Manweller’s attempts to refute his investigation and termination, former CWU student and now political science lecturer Salam Awad believes the university did the right thing.

“The objective is always to make sure that the students feel safe and the students feel secured,” Awad said. She added that she is glad student concerns were addressed.

Awad is a former student of Manweller’s at CWU. She completed two courses with him in 2012 and 2013.

“As his student, he was a great professor, which is really the unfortunate part,” Awad said. “He had definitely a great skill set.”

Manweller noted the difficult year he had and claimed politics to “be a very nasty endeavor” in his statement Monday. He also gave insight into his future plans.

“Moving forward, I am primarily focused on creating a safe and healthy environment for my family, in particular, my wife and two children,” Manweller said.