Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan told Rep. Trent Franks to resign
Dec 7, 2017, 7:58 PM | Updated: 10:12 pm
Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz. takes questions during a TV interview on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, July 14, 2017, just before the Republican-led House decisively approved a defense spending bill for 2018, including nearly $30 billion more for core Pentagon operations than President Donald Trump requested. An amendment in the bill authored by Franks was rejected that would have required the Pentagon to identify "Islamic religious doctrines, concepts, or schools of thought" used by the Islamic State and other terrorist groups for recruitment, financing or propaganda purposes. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
PHOENIX – After the allegations of misconduct by U.S. Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan told Franks he should resign from Congress.
According to a statement released by the office of the speaker, Ryan approached Franks after he was briefed about the allegations, which Franks did not deny.
The speaker informed Franks about his intent to present the allegations to the House Ethics Committee, the house speaker “told him that he should resign from Congress” due to the seriousness of the misconduct.
Related: Names who could run for Franks’ seat | Franks resigns
Franks sent his letter of resignation to the house speaker on Thursday, and announced his resignation from Congress effective Jan. 31.
“I have recently learned that the Ethics Committee is reviewing an inquiry regarding my discussion of surrogacy with two previous female subordinates, making each feel uncomfortable,” Franks said in a statement.
Franks added that he and his wife had previously used a surrogate to give berth to their twins, and had tried for a third child but the surrogate had suffered a miscarriage.
A special primary election will take place to determine nominees for Franks’ seat, followed by a special election.
According to a senior Arizona political operative, four Arizona Republicans could possibly run for Franks’ soon to be vacant seat in the special election.
In addition, former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat and Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord were said to be possible contenders by conservative political analyst Chuck Coughlin.
Gov. Doug Ducey has until Jan. 4 to announce when the primary and special election will take place.
