Republican Rep. Trent Franks (Ariz.) announced Thursday night he will resign from office, with his last day Jan. 31, 2018.
"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. "I deeply regret that my discussion of this option and process in the workplace caused distress." Three Republicans who spoke to The Washington Post said Franks asked the staffers if they would serve as surrogates for Franks and his wife. The couple has two children, twins, who were born via surrogate.
First elected in 2002, Franks served eight terms, and recently announced he was going to run for re-election. He is an evangelical Christian, has written anti-abortion legislation, and is a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus. Franks is the third lawmaker this week to resign, following Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.).