The speaker of the House and the governor of Louisiana have called for his resignation. New calls for McAllister's resignation

Prominent Republicans began deserting embattled Louisiana Rep. Vance McAllister on Thursday, as the freshman congressman’s prognosis for political survival became increasingly bleak.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) joined the chairman of the state’s Republican Party in calling for McAllister’s immediate resignation. Speaker John Boehner offered no support when asked about the so-called “kissing congressman” at a press conference. And former Rep. Rodney Alexander, who previously held the seat, told a local paper that he is open to coming back.


McAllister, meanwhile, stayed in the bunker, skipping another day of important votes on the budget sponsored by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).

( PODCAST: The 'kissing Congressman,' equal pay, voting rights)

“Congressman McAllister’s behavior is an embarrassment and he should resign,” said Jindal. “He says he wants privacy to work on his issues with his family. The best way to get privacy and work on putting his family back together is to resign from Congress.”

“Mr. McAllister’s extreme hypocrisy is an example of why ordinary people are fed up with politics,” Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere Jr. said a few hours earlier. “A breach of trust of this magnitude can only be rectified by an immediate resignation. He has embarrassed our party, our state and the institution of Congress. A video showing him engaged in conduct unbecoming a member of Congress, on public time, in a public office, with one of his employees, was the focus of the national press for days. I call on Mr. McAllister to put the interests of his nation, state and party above his own and step aside.”

( WATCH: Vance McAllister kissing video)

Boehner told reporters Thursday that McAllister has “decisions he has to make.”

McAllister has become embroiled in scandal after a video surfaced this week showing him in a romantic encounter with a staffer. The aide, Melissa Hixon Peacock, no longer works for McAllister, and the congressman has apologized. But that has done little to stabilize his political career.

The News-Stae in Monroe, La., quoted former Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-La.) — whose resignation paved the way for McAllister’s arrival in Congress — saying he might want his job in Washington back.

“I would never say anything is off of the table,” Alexander told the paper. “If I felt like the people of Louisiana and the 5th District wanted me for a particular purpose or office, I am willing to serve them.”

He added: “I don’t miss what you have to do to stay in Congress, but I miss being able to have an impact for the overall betterment of the 5th District.”

( WATCH: Jake Sherman on Driving the Day)

McAllister began calling members of the Louisiana delegation late Wednesday and Thursday and also spoke to Boehner (R-Ohio).

“I expect all members to be held to the highest ethical standards,” Boehner said Thursday.

Louisiana Republicans don’t appear willing to give McAllister — who was elected in November — a chance to ride this scandal out. The state Republican party couldn’t reach McAllister for most of Wednesday, sources said. When Villere left a message for McAllister, he heard back from the congressman’s chief of staff, Adam Terry. A source familiar with the call said it was “heated” and that the chairman hung up.

( Also on POLITICO: Boehner: McAllister faces decisions)

Some D.C. Republicans say they think McAllister’s congressional career is over. The Louisiana Republican delegation is sounding sharply skeptical tones about the congressman’s future.

“This is a serious situation. It’s a very serious situation that needs to be looked into,” said Rep. Charles Boustany (R-La.), the longest-serving Louisiana House member.

Boustany added: “This is just horrible behavior unbecoming of a member of Congress. He’s got to come clean.”

Top GOP officials have become increasingly frustrated with how McAllister is handling the situation. Early Wednesday, his staff indicated they would ask for an FBI investigation, saying the release of surveillance footage was a “serious breach.” Later in the day, they dropped that request.

( Also on POLITICO: Staffer's husband: 'Devastated')

“Congressman McAllister’s office will not pursue an FBI investigation at this time regarding the distribution of a video filmed in leased federal office space,” his staff said. “Congressman McAllister is focused on earning back the trust of those he has disappointed, and he reiterates his request for privacy for his family during this difficult period.”

The Ouachita Citizen, another local newspaper in Louisiana, first published the video of McAllister in a romantic encounter with his staffer.

Bill Land, who owns the building where McAllister’s office is located, told POLITICO that neither he nor his employees leaked the video. Land said the leak probably came from someone on McAllister’s staff.

( Driving the Day: How to survive a scandal: Vance McAllister edition)

The News-Star reported that a local pastor claimed McAllister’s district manager leaked the tape to two former Alexander allies, but they vehemently deny the allegation. And the aide named by the News-Star in its report remains on McAllister’s payroll.

Both McAllister and Peacock, the staffer, are married. McAllister has five children and ran as a candidate with Christian values.

Peacock’s husband, Heath Peacock, told CNN and other publications that his wife’s extramarital relationship with McAllister has left him “devastated” and he plans to seek a divorce.

Rep. John Fleming (R-La.) said that when a scandal of this nature breaks, regardless of party affiliation, it affects everyone.

“It does affect our image, our brand, even Congress in general,” he said in an interview. “It gives off this idea that we’re frivolous, that we’re not serious, we’re up to no good. So, you know, again, but we’re all human too, we all have frailties.”

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story said the News-Star broke the story of McAllister’s affair. It was the Ouachita Citizen.

CORRECTION: Corrected by: Kourtney Geers @ 04/10/2014 01:08 PM CORRECTION: A previous version of this story said the News-Star broke the story of McAllister’s affair. It was the Ouachita Citizen.