Bruce Franks Will Resign From Missouri House To Focus On His Mental Health
State Rep. Bruce Franks will step down from his St. Louis-based seat, citing a need to deal with his anxiety and depression.
The Democrat said he still wants to make his mark on St. Louis’ politics, even though he’ll no longer be in elected office. He’s also hoping his spotlight on mental health will resonate.
“And especially when you talk about people of color where there’s been this stigma in our community where we don’t talk about it,” Franks said in an interview in his Capitol office. “We don’t get the help. So this is me being transparent as I’ve always been — transparent to a fault in some cases.”
While Franks hasn’t set a resignation date, he said won’t return for the 2020 legislative session. Gov. Mike Parson will have to call a special election for his 78th District House seat that encompasses eastern parts of the city.
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/bruce-franks-will-resign-missouri-house-focus-his-mental-health