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Photos: Biggest Sex Scandals in Politics

During his bid for President, the Republican nominee has been accused by three women of sexual harassament when he was president of the National Restaurant Association between 1996 and 1999. Cain insists he is innocent, but after initial denials, Cain belatedly conceded that he was aware that a female employee of the association had received a paid settlement.

During his presidential campaign, the Republican nominee has been accused by four women of sexual harassment when he was president of the National Restaurant Association between 1996 and 1999. Cain insists he is innocent, but after initial denials, he belatedly conceded that he was aware that a female employee of the association had received a paid settlement.  (Jason Reed/Reuters)

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From lewd bathroom behavior to tickling staffers, sexual misconduct has plagued politicians from both parties over the past decade. As he makes his bid for GOP presidential candidate, Herman Cain hopes to overcome allegations of sexual harassment and avoid a campaign-ending scandal.

The career of U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) was tarnished after accusations that he sent a lewd photo tweet from his Twitter account to a female college student in Seattle. His troubles didn't end there -- Weiner held a news conference after a conservative website posted new photos of the Queens Democrat without a shirt, and after another website claimed to have sexually explicit messages sent to a woman from Weiner's Facebook account. Weiner admitted at the news conference that he'd sent the lewd Twitter photo to the college student.

The career of U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) was tarnished after accusations that he sent a lewd photo tweet from his Twitter account to a female college student in Seattle. His troubles didn’t end there -- Weiner held a news conference after a conservative website posted new photos of the Queens Democrat without a shirt, and after another website claimed to have sexually explicit messages sent to a woman from Weiner’s Facebook account. Weiner admitted at the news conference that he’d sent the lewd Twitter photo to the college student.  (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

John Edwards! In 2010, former Democratic presidential candidate Edwards admitted that he fathered a child with another woman while his wife was dying of cancer. He has since been indicted on charges that he used campaign contributions to hide the extramarital affair.

John Edwards! In 2010, former Democratic presidential candidate Edwards admitted that he fathered a child with another woman while his wife was dying of cancer. He has since been indicted on charges that he used campaign contributions to hide the extramarital affair.  (Steve Exum/Getty)

Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is currently dealing with a scandal over a secret child he fathered 13 years ago with his housekeeper. The 63-year-old former California governor and "Terminator" star has told his agents to halt plans to resume his movie career so that he can deal with "personal matters."

Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is currently dealing with a scandal over a secret child he fathered 13 years ago with his housekeeper. The 63-year-old former California governor and “Terminator” star has told his agents to halt plans to resume his movie career so that he can deal with “personal matters.”  (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) resigned in 2010 after it was revealed he had an extramarital affair with a staffer.

Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) resigned in 2010 after it was revealed he had an extramarital affair with a staffer.  (Tom Williams/Getty)

Former U.S. Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) resigned in 2010 after groping and tickling a staffer "until he couldn't breath."

Former U.S. Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) resigned in 2010 after groping and tickling a staffer “until he couldn’t breath.”  (Chip Somodevilla/Getty)

Former Rep. Vito Fossella

Rep. Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.) did not seek reelection in 2008 after a drunk driving conviction and revelations of an extramarital affair in which he fathered a child.  (Tom Williams/Getty)

Former Rep. Tim Mahoney

Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.) lost his reelection in 2008 after it was revealed that he had put a former mistress on his staff. Mahoney had succeeded GOP Rep. Mark Foley, who resigned two years earlier amid scandal.  (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Former New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey

New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey, a Democrat, resigned in 2004 after acknowledging an extramarital affair with another man.  (William Bird/Getty)

In early July 2007, Senator David Vitter's, (R-La.), phone number was included in a published list of phone records of Deborah Jeane Palfrey, also known as the "D.C. Madam." Vitter eventually admitted to calling Palfrey's service when he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He did not face prosecution because of the statute of limitations. He was reelected in 2010

In early July 2007, Senator David Vitter’s, (R-La.), phone number was included in a published list of phone records of Deborah Jeane Palfrey, also known as the “D.C. Madam.” Vitter eventually admitted to calling Palfrey’s service when he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He did not face prosecution because of the statute of limitations. He was reelected in 2010  (Bill Clark/Getty)

Sanford resigned that day after revealing that he'd had an affair with an Argentinian woman. The revelation came a week after Sanford briefly went missing and his office said he had gone hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Sanford was later censured over the affair because of misuse of state travel funds. His wife, Jenny, a Winnetka native, filed for divorce on Dec. 11, 2009.

Sanford resigned that day after revealing that he’d had an affair with an Argentinian woman. The revelation came a week after Sanford briefly went missing and his office said he had gone hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Sanford was later censured over the affair because of misuse of state travel funds. His wife, Jenny, a Winnetka native, filed for divorce on Dec. 11, 2009.  (Davis Turner/Getty)

Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Jack Ryan, who ended up losing the 2004 Senate race to now-president Barack Obama, spent much of his campagin defending his character and facing allegations that he urged his former wife, Jeri Lynn Ryan, to have sex in front of others.

Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Jack Ryan, who ended up losing the 2004 Senate race to now-president Barack Obama, spent much of his campagin defending his character and facing allegations that he urged his former wife, Jeri Lynn Ryan, to have sex in front of others.  (Scott Olson/Getty)

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