Salem State College

Former presidential candidate John Edwards and his wife Elizabeth have cancelled their appearance at Salem State College, according to the school. 

The couple was scheduled to appear at the college on Sept. 23 as part of a speakers’ series to discuss the 2008 presidential election and Elizabeth Edwards’ battle with cancer.

Since scheduling the event, Edwards admitted to having an affair with Rielle Hunter, an amateur filmmaker who chronicled his campaign. Salem State had previously said that the Edwards event was still on, but said in a release Tuesday that the couple decided to cancel the event.

A vice chairman of the state legislature's Joint Committee on Higher Education defended Salem State College's decision to honor their speaking contract with John and Elizabeth Edwards, saying that it speaks to the strength of the university's dedication to free speech.

Salem State booked the Edwardses for a Sept. 23 speakers series event in July and has maintained that the event is going forward as planned despite John Edwards confessing to having an affair in an interview with ABC News last week. 

In an interview with PolitickerMA.com, state Rep. Theodore Speliotis (D-Danvers), a vice chairman of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, stood behind Salem State's decision to go on with the event.

"The decision reflects the strength of the college and the program," he said. "If they continue to meet that obligation and still wish to speak the program is only going to be richer from it."

Salem State College has not changed any plans to host John and Elizabeth Edwards for their speakers series on Sept. 23.

"As of right now, nothing has changed at this point," said Jim Glynn, the school's assistant director of marketing and communications.

Glynn responded as ABC News reported Friday that the former presidential admitted to having an affair with Rielle Hunter, a 44 year-old amateur filmmaker, and repeatedly lying about the affair during his presidential run. John and Elizabeth Edwards were scheduled to discuss this year's presidential race and Elizabeth Edward's fight with cancer.

"As of right now," Glynn said, "nothing's changing.'

Former presidential contender John Edwards and his wife Elizabeth are still set to appear at Salem State College on John and Elizabeth Edwards: Getty ImageSept. 23, according to college officials.

In the past two weeks, a controversy surrounding whether the former North Carolina senator has had a longtime affair and has fathered an illegitimate child has come to light in the mainstream media. Edwards has repeatedly denied the charges.

Nevertheless, Jim Glynn, the assistant director of marketing and communications for Salem State College Series, told PolitickerMA.com that there has been "no change at all" to plans for the couple to appear at the college on Sept. 23.

John and Elizabeth Edwards in 2007Former U.S. Senator and 2004 vice presidential candidate John Edwards (D-N.C.) and his wife, Elizabeth, will be speaking at Salem State College on September 23.

The event is part of the Salem State College Series and will feature their thoughts on public service, their presidential campaigns and Elizabeth's battle with cancer.

Tickets, ranging from $75 to $10, are on sale now.