[UPDATE] Rep. Aaron Schock Resigns From Congress

By aaroncynic in News on Mar 17, 2015 6:30PM

[UPDATE BELOW] Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock has resigned today amid controversy regarding the spending of campaign and taxpayer dollars. In a statement to Politico, Schock said:

“Today, I am announcing my resignation as a Member of the United States House of Representatives effective March 31.I do this with a heavy heart. Serving the people of the 18th District is the highest and greatest honor I have had in my life. I thank them for their faith in electing me and letting me represent their interests in Washington. I have given them my all over the last six years.

But the constant questions over the last six weeks have proven a great distraction that has made it too difficult for me to serve the people of the 18th District with the high standards that they deserve and which I have set for myself.

I have always sought to do what’s best for my constituents and I thank them for the opportunity to serve."

Earlier this month, Schock came under fire for billing taxpayers in excess of $10,000 in travel expenses for his staff. The Chicago Tribune reported earlier today a company linked to the Congressman paid $300,000 to purchase a property from a campaign donor, which Schock then signed a mortgage application for twice the amount on. Records show that in the months following the purchase in May of last year, Schock’s reelection campaign paid Jeff Green, the owner of the property and several car dealerships in Peoria, more than $112,00 in “unspecified expenses.”

According to a review by the Associated Press, Schock, who is estimated to be worth $1.4 million, built his personal wealth through real estate deals with donors. Reports indicate the Congressman may have doubled his wealth since he took office. On Monday, the Office of Congressional Ethics confirmed to the AP it was beginning an investigation. Several of Schock’s associates received letters seeking documents and an interview surrounding his spending habits.

Update, 2:00 p.m.: Crain's has posted a timeline detailing the swift rise and fall as well as all the controversies that have marred Aaron Schock's career here.

Meanwhile, comments are starting to surface online in response to Schock's resignation. David Axelrod, the former Senior Advisor to President Obama and Director of the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago, shared the following:

And NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent, Andrea Mitchell tweeted her stunned response:

Update, 2:00 p.m.: Peoria Journal Star's legal, military and county board Reporter Andy Kravetz shared the following about Schock's own staff being surprised by the news:

Meanwhile Peoria Journal Assignment Editor and political Reporter Chris Kaergard pointed out a special election will have to be set in order to replace Schock:

Update, 3:00 p.m.: Well, at least Schock has time on his hands to catch up on his favorite show, Downton Abbey, since he'll be saying goodbye to his infamous Downton-themed office. We saw this photo shared online earlier, a pretty perfect fond farewell: