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Conyers announces retirement from Congress, endorses son

Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., retired from Congress Tuesday after facing a number of allegations of sexual misconduct.

Rep. John Conyers, the longest-serving active member of the House and a founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, retired from Congress Tuesday after facing a number of allegations of sexual misconduct.

The 88-year-old Michigan Democrat called in to a local Detroit radio station from an area hospital to make his announcement.

“I am retiring today, I want everyone to know how much I appreciate the support,” Conyers told Mildred Gaddis, a morning host on Detroit FM-radio station Praise 102.7.

His attorney, Arnold Reed, confirmed Conyers’ retirement was “effective today.”

Conyers added that he wanted his son, John Conyers III, to replace him in Congress.

Related: Conyers allegations: Ex-staffer says congressman ‘inappropriately touched’ her

“I have a great family here and especially in my oldest boy, John Conyers III, who incidentally I endorse to replace me in my seat in Congress,” he said.

Conyers’ announcement came after multiple former aides accused him of sexual harassment, triggering a House Ethics Committee investigation. Conyers returned home to Detroit last week, and was hospitalized for a stress-related ailment.

Conyers has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct.

“Whatever they are, they are not accurate or they’re not true and I think that they, they’re something that,” he said Tuesday. “I can’t explain where they came from.”

Related: Conyers hospitalized, weighs quitting, Pelosi says resign

Conyers’ endorsement of his son — who runs a hedge fund in Detroit — sets up an familial power struggle. Ian Conyers, a Michigan state senator and the grandson of Conyers’ brother, told The New York Times ahead of the congressman’s announcement that he would run for his great-uncle’s seat.

Reed said in a tweet earlier Tuesday morning that he was "not responding to rumor and innuendo regarding Ian Conyers."