“After discussing options with my family, we came to the conclusion that the best thing for our family now would be for me to tender my previous resignation effective today, December 8th, 2017," Rep. Trent Franks said in a statement. | Drew Angerer/Getty Images Franks to resign Friday after harassment allegations

Rep. Trent Franks resigned Friday following allegations that he asked female staffers to be surrogates for his child — speeding up his previously scheduled departure set for the end of January.

The Arizona Republican in a statement Friday said that his wife was hospitalized and he needed to focus on his family.


"Last night, my wife was admitted to the hospital in Washington, D.C. due to an ongoing ailment,” Franks said in a statement. “After discussing options with my family, we came to the conclusion that the best thing for our family now would be for me to tender my previous resignation effective today, December 8th, 2017."

In a statement Thursday night, Franks acknowledged discussing surrogacy with his staffers and apologized for making them feel uncomfortable. He said he “absolutely never physically intimidated, coerced, or had, or attempted to have, any sexual contact with any member of my congressional staff” even as he announced he’d resign on Jan. 31, 2018.