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Embattled congressman retires amid sex allegations
Congressman, 88, retires amid pressure after sexual harassment allegations, endorses son
Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, 88, resigned after his support among fellow Democrats collapsed amid accusations of sexual harassment.
WASHINGTON — Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, the longest-serving member of the House of Representatives, resigned Tuesday after his support among fellow Democrats collapsed amid accusations of sexual harassment by several female employees.
Conyers endorsed his son, John Conyers III, in a rambling radio interview with Detroit host Mildred Gaddis.
“I am retiring today, and I want everyone to know how much I appreciate the support, incredible undiminished support I’ve received,” Conyers said.
Conyers’ use of the word “retiring” rather than “resigning” left some uncertainty over when he was vacating the congressional seat he has held since 1965. Later in the day, however, he sent a letter to congressional leaders saying he was stepping down “effective today.”
Conyers’ replacement will be chosen in a special election.
The Detroit-area district is heavily Democratic, so Conyers’ departure should not affect the balance of power in the House. But it does set up a potential family fight: A great-nephew, state Sen. Ian Conyers, has publicly said he also intended to seek the seat.
The announcement by John Conyers came after House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Congressional Black Caucus leader Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., and an increasing number of House members urged him to quit as former aides offered detailed accounts of inappropriate sexual advances he had made over decades.
A longtime civil rights activist, Conyers is the highest-profile political figure to be forced from office in the midst of a national debate over sexual harassment that began weeks ago with accusations against movie producer Harvey Weinstein.
Conyers has continued to deny any wrongdoing, although on Nov. 26, he agreed to step down as the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee.
The accusations against Conyers, 88, had preoccupied members of the Democratic leadership, who were reluctant to be seen pushing out a leading AfricanAmerican member of Congress who was widely respected for his advocacy.
The disclosure of accusations against Conyers began Nov. 20 when BuzzFeed reported that in 2015, he had used $27,000 in taxpayer money to settle a wrongful dismissal complaint made by a female aide, Marion Brown, who said she was fired for not giving in to his sexual advances.
Several other former aides, including his former deputy chief of staff, Deanna Maher, came forward, saying that Conyers had demanded sexual favors or touched them inappropriately.