JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — U.S. Rep. Tom Reed began the first leg of his farewell town hall tour in Jamestown Tuesday night.

Reed — who is not seeking re-election — is wrapping up 12 years in office at the end of this year.

What You Need To Know

  • Congressman Tom Reed is not seeing a seventh term in office amid sexual misconduct allegations

  • Reed kicked of his farewell town hall meeting tour in Jamestown on Tuesday

  • He represents the 23rd Congressional District which is expected to look very different

"It has gone by amazingly fast," said Reed. "You look at the good times, you look at the bad times, but at the end of the day, more upside than downside, and it's just been an honor. And I'm humbled to be able to be in this position, to be a voice."

Reed announced last year he would not be seeking a seventh term after a now-former female lobbyist accused him of sexual misconduct in 2017. He at first denied the accusation, but later apologized to the woman and his own family, citing his addiction to alcohol, for which he sought treatment. 

"We confronted those issues, confronted those demons," Reed said. "And it made me a better person." 

During the town hall, much of the discussion centered around the war between Russia and Ukraine and Reed's recent trip to the war-torn region where he stood on the Ukrainan border with Poland.

"What's happening in Ukraine is kind of ground zero today for the fight between democracy, the West and the United States of America and that vision of the world that China and Russia are bringing to the table."

That topic and a host of others, like inflation, sparked a number of questions from the crowd.

Reed said he's equally appreciative no matter how heated the room can get.

"To represent people, you have to listen to people," Reed said. "And you have to meet them where they're at."

Reed said one of his greatest accomplishments is the creation of the 58-member bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, while a piece of unfinished business remains passing the energy sector innovation tax credit.

As for the next chapter in his life, he said with brighter days ahead, those pages have yet to be written.

"It's unknown," said Reed. "The bottom line is I'm still going to be engaged. I care too much about the country."

Reed's next stop is Geneva on Wednesday and Corning on Thursday.