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.
