The firestorm over sexual misconduct claimed the career of the Dean of the U.S. House on Tuesday, as Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), currently the longest-serving member in the House, announced that he would resign from his office, as he immediately endorsed his son, John Conyers III to replace him in the U.S. House.
"I am retiring today," Conyers said on the Mildred Gattis radio show in Detroit.
Speaking by telephone from a hospital in the Detroit area where he is being treated for a stress-related condition, Conyers said little about the allegations against him.
"I want everyone to know how much I appreciate the support," Conyers said. "I'm in the process of putting my retirement plans together, and I will have more about that very soon."
There could be somewhat of a family feud in the race to replace Conyers - while he endorsed his son, a grand-nephew of Conyers has also said he will run for the same seat.
The departure of Conyers would also mean that there is a new person who is the longest-serving House member - that would now be Rep. Don Young (R-AK), a cantankerous GOP veteran who was first elected in 1973.
As Conyers announced that he would leave the Congress, there were still questions about another Democrat, Rep. Ruben Kihuen (D-NV), who has faced allegations of unwanted sexual advances during his 2016 campaign for the U.S. House.
So far, Kihuen has warded off calls by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and other Democrats in the Nevada delegation, for his resignation.
About the Author
