Ex-State Sen. Steve Montenegro accused of trading racy texts with female staffer

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - A Conservative Republican who wants to replace Trent Franks in Arizona's 8th Congressional District is facing a scandal of his own.

Franks resigned last year, following harassment complaints from two female staffers. Now, candidate Steve Montenegro is facing a sex scandal of his own. It's a controversy that has the potential to throw the CD8 race for a loop, as it includes racy texts and photos apparently between the former state legislator and a senate employee.

Former State Sen. Steve Montenegro was apparently trading racy consensual text messages with a female senate staffer, since the middle of last year. The messages included a topless photo sent by the staffer, a message, apparently from Montenegro, telling the staffer she should have come on a trip with him out of town, and an apparent exchange about their relationship, on the day that Franks resigned, containing a message from the staffer saying, "You would never, ever have to worry about me"

Montenegro worked for Franks, and has touted his endorsement, as well as his family values, during campaign ads. Montenegro responded with a statement calling the reports "false tabloid trash", and praised his wife and marriage.

FOX 10 has reached out to Montenegro's campaign for further comment.

Montenegro, however, isn't the only one being called out for a controversy, as another top candidate, former State Senator Debbie Lesko, is being accused of an improper transfer of funds from her state senate campaign fund, allegedly moving $50,000 to an independent group supporting her congressional bid.