WASHINGTON _ Kansas Republican Rep. Steve Watkins announced Friday he will voluntarily step down from his committee assignments in the U.S. House in the face of felony charges filed against him this week.
The decision to relinquish his committee posts comes as political allies have started distancing themselves from the first-term congressman. He's become increasingly isolated in both Kansas and Washington, losing both committee roles and endorsements.
Fellow Kansas Republican Rep. Ron Estes endorsed one of his primary opponents Thursday. On Friday Kansans For Life, the state's leading anti-abortion group, pulled its endorsement of Watkins ahead of the August 4 primary, a stunning rebuke of an incumbent who has voted consistently for the group's agenda.
The Topeka freshman faces three felony charges stemming from an investigation into whether he voted in the wrong city council district in last year's municipal election. Watkins had used the address of a UPS store for his voter registration. He is also accused of lying to a Shawnee County detective.
House GOP conference rules require any Republican to give up their committee work if charged with a felony that carries prison time of two or more years.
"Throughout my entire career, I have put service above myself, and this instance is not different," Watkins said in a statement Friday. "That's why I've chosen to temporarily and voluntarily step aside from my committees, allow the committees to continue their critical work and fight these bogus charges."
Watkins, an Army veteran, served on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and House Committee on Education and Labor.
Those are important assignments for a representative whose district includes Fort Leavenworth and the University of Kansas. His absence on the committee that oversees education policy could be a blow to KU.
Jack Cline, the university's lobbyist, said in an email that KU "has been impressed with Congressman Watkins' interest in public higher education and the understanding the importance of increased funding for research." Cline stressed he was not commenting on the legal issues facing the congressman.
"Mr. Watkins has had an open door policy to visiting KU students, faculty and staff at his Capitol Hill office," Cline said. "His message to KU from day one was that we were to be seen as partners when it came issues related to higher education. KU has taken advantage of this invitation."
Watkins' office had said earlier in this week he would not have to relinquish his responsibilities. The rule requiring GOP members to give up their committee assignments in the face of felony charges was adopted by House Republicans in 2018 in the face of federal indictments against New York Rep. Chris Collins and California Rep. Duncan Hunter in separate cases.
In addition to withdrawing from his committee assignments, Watkins has removed himself from the National Republican Congressional Committee's Patriot Program, an initiative to help vulnerable GOP incumbents.
Bob Salera, the NRCC's spokesman, said in an email that Watkins' removal from the program was at the congressman's request. But the withdrawal indicates the party has no plans to put resources toward saving Watkins' campaign in the final weeks of primary contest.
Watkins has repeatedly claimed the charges against him are politically motivated and part of an effort to boost Republican primary rival Jake LaTurner, the Kansas treasurer, in the race for Kansas 2nd Congressional District.
"I look forward to exposing the corruption and collusion behind this blatant political prosecution and holding those responsible accountable."
The district stretches from Northeast Kansas to the Oklahoma border. Watkins, who narrowly won the seat in 2018, faces dual primary challenges from LaTurner and former Kansas Secretary of Administration Dennis Taylor. The winner will face likely Democratic nominee Michelle De La Isla, the mayor of Topeka, in November.
LaTurner said in a statement that the "fallout of Steve's irresponsible actions continue to mount. It is unfortunate that our veterans, foreign service professionals and all Kansans won't be receiving the representation they deserve because Steve Watkins' has not been conducting himself as an elected member of Congress should."
Kansans for Life PAC, a major force in GOP politics, had initially given a dual endorsement to Watkins and LaTurner, but the group announced Friday it was solely supporting LaTurner, who KFL said was best-equipped to face De La Isla in November.
Watkins' announcement that he was stepping down from his committee posts came minutes before House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., held a weekly call with reporters.
On the call, McCarthy said he had spoken to the freshman Republican about the charges, but he also said he would continue to support his campaign. McCarthy held a fundraising event for Watkins in Leawood last year.
"I have contributed earlier to Steve's campaign in this race," McCarthy said. "I haven't changed my position and my support of him."
