New York Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner has stepped down in the wake of the online sex scandal that’s dominated airwaves over the past three weeks. Last week, Weiner admitted to having what he described as “inappropriate” and “explicit” conversations with six women over Twitter, Facebook, email, and occasionally on the phone. Weiner had come under increasing pressure to resign from top Democrats, including President Obama and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Weiner announced his resignation at a raucous news conference on Thursday.

Rep. Anthony Weiner: “I had hoped to be able to continue the work that the citizens of my district elected me to do: to fight for the middle class and those struggling to make it. Unfortunately, the distraction that I have created has made that impossible. So today I am announcing my resignation from Congress, so my colleagues can get back to work, my neighbors can choose a new representative, and most importantly, that my wife and I can continue to heal from the damage I have caused.”

Weiner had been seen as a likely candidate for New York City mayor before the scandal erupted. A special election for his replacement will be held in the fall.