MODESTO, Calif. (AP) — Rep. Gary Condit returned Friday to face an uncertain future with his California constituents, leaving behind growing unrest among his Washington colleagues.
Arriving at San Francisco's airport, Condit began his summer congressional recess the same way he has spent most of the past three months — avoiding photographers and reporters who wanted to question him about affairs and missing intern Chandra Levy.
He said nothing as he rolled his duffel bag toward an exit. He has not been publicly spotted since — not at his home or his office in Modesto.
One senior Democrat has pronounced his career over. California's senior senator has said he lied to her. And his partner in forming a group of conservative Democrats has accused him of discrediting Congress.
Still another California Democrat, Anna Eshoo, who had earlier defended Condit, said, "It's hurtful to all of us. It's held against the whole place."
Condit has maintained his public silence about Levy, a 24-year-old constituent who was in Washington for a federal internship. Levy has been missing since May, and police have no clues about her whereabouts.