Chuck Edwards' abrupt exit leaves Republicans scrambling

For Speaker Mike Johnson, Rep. Chuck Edwards' decision to drop his re-election bid just trades one problem for another. Why it matters: Instead of trying to hold a vulnerable seat with a scandal-ridden candidate, Republicans now have to scramble for a replacement who'll be starting at square one three months out from Election Day against a well-funded Democrat. North Carolina's 11th District already was in Democrats' sights long before Edwards became the target of a House Ethics probe this…