Michigan Democrat calls for Conyers to resign after allegations

(WJBK) - Twenty-seven term Congressman John Conyers was hospitalized complaining of chest pains, dizziness and shortness of breath in the wake of the sexual harassment allegations against him. 

Conyers, 88, is so far rejecting any and all calls for his resignation. That includes more and more members of his own Democratic party, but not all of them.

"He asked me to satisfy him sexually," said Marion Brown. "He pointed to areas, genital areas of his body and asked me to touch him.

"All I want from the congressman is for him to acknowledge what he did."

Just hours before another woman detailed her alleged encounters with Conyers on NBC's today show Thursday, the representative was hospitalized. His attorney Arnold Reed says it was due to stress. The congressman was inside his Detroit home late Wednesday, when he began feeling ill.

"Shortness of breath, chest pains, light-headed and dizziness," said Reed.

This amid heavy pressure to step down, Conyers giving up his seat as the top Democrat on the judiciary committee Sunday, but keeping his congressional seat. 

On Thursday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called for his resignation saying despite his legacy, "Zero tolerance means consequences for everyone."

"Nancy Pelosi did not elect the congressman and she sure as hell won't tell the congressman to leave," Reed said. "That decision will be completely up to the congressman. He's not thinking about that; he's thinking about getting well."

Meanwhile Representative Dan Kildee on Thursday became the first Michigan Democrat in the House to call for Conyers's resignation. Kildee called Conyers' accusers credible and, this situation painful.

"It doesn't matter where you work, your seniority, your partisanship," Kildee said. "This kind of behavior can't be tolerated; he has to resign."

Political consultant Jamie Roe said he is stunned that Kildee was the first.

"We've heard nothing from Sen. Stabenow, we've heard nothing from Gretchen Whitmer, nothing from Jocelyn Benson," Roe said. "Do they actually stand for women or don't they?"

Whitmer has made the following statement regarding the allegations against Conyers: 

“These reports are ugly and deeply concerning. The culture that perpetuates this behavior is why I have to say 'me too,' and it’s why every day I fight so that my daughters won’t have to. Beyond a thorough investigation, we’ve got to overhaul these broken processes to protect and support people who bravely come forward instead of silencing them.”

Roe adds Thursday that Conyers should resign, accusing Democratic leaders of hiding behind the House Ethics Committee investigation.

"This is happening right in our back yard, these are Michigan women who have been allegedly abused by Congressman Conyers," Roe said. "We've got the leading Democratic women in this state who have said nothing."

But Conyers's attorney, despite these latest allegations, continues to say Conyers isn't stepping down, anytime soon.

"They wanted him out a long time ago," Reed said. "This is less about sexual harassment. and more about them not wanting John Conyers in office, truth be told."

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include a statement from Gretchen Whitmer