Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) will reportedly not seek reelection amid several women coming forward saying that he sexually harassed them, according to reports.
Conyers, 88, the longest-serving member of the House of Representatives, is expected to announce his plans on Tuesday during a radio interview, the New York Times reports.
A relative of Conyers, Ian Conyers, 29, said he plans to run for his great uncle’s seat in the House.
“He is not resigning. He is going to retire,” he told the Times. “His doctor advised him that the rigor of another campaign would be too much for him just in terms of his health.”
However, an attorney for the representative, Arnold Reed, appeared to cast doubt on the what would be said during the radio interview in a Tuesday morning tweet.
“The congressman will make his decision this morning consistent with my previous statements,” Reed tweeted. “I’m not responding to rumor and innuendo regarding Ian Conyers. I have not spoken to Ian Conyers and no one is aware of the congressman’s plans except he and I and his wife.”
The congressman will make his decision this morning consistent with my previous statements. I'm not responding to rumor and innuendo regarding Ian Conyers. I have not spoken to Ian Conyers and no one is aware of the congressman's plans except he and I and his wife
— Arnold E. Reed (@ArnoldReedEsq) December 5, 2017
The long-time House member has been accused of sexual harassment and other inappropriate behavior by at least six former members of his staff in recent weeks. Late last month it was reported that the representative settled a wrongful dismissal complaint by a former employee who said she was fired for refusing his sexual advances in 2015. The affidavit associated with the complaint included staff members saying that he inappropriately touched their hands, legs, and backs.
The complaint said Conyers asked the woman for sexual favors and once spoke to her about his sexual desires. She said that Conyers suggested that agreeing to the favors would be beneficial for her career in the form of salary increases and promotions. The representative did not admit fault as part of the settlement.
Conyers has denied any wrongdoing. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) have called for him to step down from his seat in wake of the reports.
You can read the full New York Times‘ report here.
The post Report: Conyers won’t seek reelection amid sexual harassment fallout appeared first on The Daily Dot.
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