Trent Franks stepping down from Congress amid complaints from 2 former female staffers

Trent Franks, the dean of Arizona's House Republicans, announced he is stepping down after learning the House Ethics Committee was investigating him for sexual harassment involving two "previous female subordinates," the congressman said.

In a lengthy written statement, Franks said he and his wife have struggled with infertility, and that his "discussion of surrogacy" with the two women while in the workplace had "caused distress."

"It is so important that we get this right for everyone, especially for victims," Franks said in the statement. "But in the midst of this current cultural and media climate, I am deeply convinced I would be unable to complete a fair House Ethics investigation before distorted and sensationalized versions of this story would put me, my family, my staff, and my noble colleagues in the House of Representatives through hyperbolized public excoriation."

While Franks sought to cast the complaints as without merit, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said he found them "credible claims of misconduct."

"The speaker presented Rep. Franks with the allegations, which he did not deny," Ryan's office said in a statement. "The speaker told Rep. Franks that he intended to refer the allegations directly to the House Ethics Committee and told him that he should resign from Congress. The allegations were filed with the Ethics Committee last Friday. And today, the speaker accepted a letter of resignation. The speaker takes seriously his obligation to ensure a safe workplace in the House."



For its part, the Ethics Committee acknowledged opening an investigation “to determine whether Rep. Trent Franks engaged in conduct that constitutes sexual harassment and/or retaliation for opposing sexual harassment.”

His decision to quit the House of Representatives came the same day Minnesota Sen. Al Franken, a Democrat, announced his own departure due to complaints of sexual harassment and as other members of Congress are asked about secret legal settlements for similar issues.

Before he issued his statement, Franks was seen on the floor of the House huddling with several members who appeared to pray with him.

SEE ALSO: Full text of Arizona Rep. Trent Franks' resignation letter

A social conservative

In his eight terms representing the West Valley, Franks has been a stalwart social conservative on Capitol Hill, frequently citing the Bible and denouncing abortion. He has long made protecting children a centerpiece of his work in Washington.

While Franks, 60, has often been quick to invoke religious-based morality, he has been largely silent on the unfolding national reckoning on sexual harassment.

For example, Franks appears to have said nothing in his usual social-media channels about Roy Moore, the Republican nominee in next week's election to permanently fill an Alabama senate seat. Several women have accused Moore of seeking intimate relations with them decades ago when they were younger than 18 and he was in his 30s.

Last week Franks declined to answer a request by The Arizona Republic about whether he was aware of any legal settlements to resolve claims against him involving sexual harassment or creating a hostile workplace for women.

Franks is among the wealthiest members of Congress, with a net worth between $5 million and $54 million, based on House financial disclosures for 2016. His wealth is largely tied to stock in Trinity Petroleum, an oil and gas company operated with his brothers.

Past controversies

Franks has kept a relatively low profile for much of his congressional tenure. But he created a brief stir in 2013 when he suggested the incidence pregnancy from rape is “very low.” He has introduced various measures intended to limit, if not end, abortion.

Last year, he again came under fire for a comment that appeared to minimize the gravity of Russian interference in the presidential election.

“The bottom line is if they succeeded, if Russia succeeded in giving the American people information that was accurate, then they merely did what the media should have done,” he said in an interview with MSNBC. He later said his comments had been misconstrued.

Franks is a member of the House Armed Services and Judiciary committees. He chairs a subcommittee on the Constitution and civil justice and is vice chair of a subcommittee on emerging threats.

According to his website, Franks chairs the Congressional Coalition on Adoption,

the Congressional Foster Youth Caucus and the Congressional Caucus on Orphans and Vulnerable Children.

He is also a member of the House Freedom Caucus, a group that has frequently battled GOP leadership in an effort to push more-conservative legislation, as well as the Republican Study Committee that helps develop policy.

With the future of both of the state's U.S. Senate seats thrown into question in recent months, Franks has been mentioned as a possible candidate or appointee.

For his part, Franks publicly said he had no plans to run for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Jeff Flake, but was vague about his interest in succeeding Sen. John McCain, who has brain cancer.

Franks considered running for the Senate in 2012.

Last week, Arizona's senior congressional Democrat, Rep. Raúl Grijalva was tied to a $48,000 settlement involving allegations of frequent drunkenness.

Interest in replacing Franks

Even before Franks made it official, Republican state Sens. Debbie Lesko and Kimberly Yee told The Republic they are interested in running for the seat.

Lesko, a Peoria Republican who is wrapping up her ninth year serving at the state Capitol, said she is “definitely interested” in running if Franks resigns.

“People have asked me throughout the years, ‘Why don’t you run for Congress,’” she told The Republic. “I’ve said I’m perfectly satisfied with the job Trent Franks has done, but if he ever decides to move up, retire or resign, I’d definitely be interested.

“And it seems all of the sudden, that may happen.”

Asked about her interest in Frank's House seat, Yee, who has announced her candidacy for state Treasurer, told The Republic in a text message, "Yes. I am interested."

Two other GOP state lawmakers were believed to be considering it — state Sen. Steve Montenegro and Rep. Phil Lovas.

Neither Montenegro nor Lovas could be immediately reached for comment.

And Maricopa County Supervisor Clint Hickman said he, too, is considering a bid for the seat. He said he needed to talk to his family before making a decision: "I would say yeah, I'm considering it, especially with the windfall of calls I'm getting."

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