Woman shares Facebook flirtation with married GOP rep.

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) is facing additional scrutiny after a woman shared a string of sexually suggestive Facebook messages she received from the Texas lawmaker, who was married at the time she corresponded with him.

Barton confirmed Wednesday to the Star-Telegram that the exchange with the woman, Kelly Canon, took place.

During the back and forth exchange that allegedly took place between 2012 and 2013, Barton at one point asks Canon if she is “wearing a tank top only … and no panties,” according to the report.

Barton was still married to his second wife, Terri, at the time of the flirtation.

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The new Facebook messages compound a scandal that erupted last week when a nude photo of Barton, which he allegedly texted to a woman who was not his wife, first appeared on an anonymous Twitter account and then began to circulate on the social media platform. Barton apologized for the photo, calling it a case of bad judgement.

Canon, the woman who came forward publicly on Wednesday, identifies as a Republican. She said she had talked with Barton over Facebook for several years. She said that most of the exchanges focused on politics, except some occurrences when he crossed the line and asked what she considered inappropriate questions concerning what she was or was not wearing.

“He took it a step too far on rare occasions,” Canon told the news outlet.

“He was very fascinated with my attire, to the point of being inappropriate,” she added.

Another message that Canon shared with the news outlet shows Barton, shortly before midnight, asking her “what u r wearing or not wearing tonight miss sweet dreams.”

“I will affirm I did have that exchange, but nothing more,” Barton reportedly said in a text message.

Canon says she did not seek, nor did Barton offer, an apology for the messages. A consultant for Barton, however, told the news outlet that he did apologize.

Barton publicly apologized a week ago for not using “better judgment” before sending the nude photo. He emphasized that he was in a “consensual” sexual relationship at the time.

“While separated from my second wife, prior to the divorce, I had sexual relationships with other mature adult women,” Barton said in a statement Wednesday.

“Each was consensual. Those relationships have ended. I am sorry I did not use better judgment during those days. I am sorry that I let my constituents down,” he continued.  

Last week, a spokeswoman for Barton confirmed that the longtime lawmaker has no current plans to step down.

In light of the nude photo, however, Barton told The Texas Tribune that he is talking to “a number of people” about his next steps.