DETROIT – As he announced his retirement from the U.S. House on Tuesday morning, Rep. John Conyers said he endorses his son, John Conyers III, to take his seat.
His term ends in 2018, but Conyers said his retirement is effective as of Tuesday. The Michigan governor must set forth a special election to fill the vacant seat.
Conyers spoke via phone to Detroit radio show host Mildred Gaddis, who said the congressman was calling the show from the hospital where he has been for the past week suffering from dizziness and shortness of breath, according to his attorney Arnold Reed. During the radio interview Conyers continued to deny sexual harassment allegations.
"My legacy can't be compromised or diminished in any way by what we're going through now," Conyers said. "This, too, shall pass. My legacy will continue through my children. I have a great family here, and especially my oldest boy John Conyers III, who incidentally I endorse to replace me in Congress."
John Conyers III defended his father last week as the sexual harassment controversy surrounding his father intensified.
"It's very unfortunate to see him fight so long for so many people and to automatically have the allegations assumed to be true. And of course, with sexual assault, women are to be believed. But in this instance he has no history of this," said Conyers III. "And I think that if we're not going to make Al Franken resign when we have evidence of him groping a woman while she was asleep ... it's disconcerting to me to see the way my father is being treated after he's given so much to this country, not just for black people but for people alike. He fights for everyone."
Conyers, 88, serves as U.S. Representative for Michigan's 13th congressional district. The Democrat stepped down from his position as ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee last week and denied the sexual harassment allegations.
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