Eric Cantor to Resign From Congress August 18

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported early Friday that Cantor will step down Aug. 18 to make sure constituents have a voice during the "consequential" lame-duck session.

U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor tells a Virginia newspaper he will resign his seat in the House of Representatives months earlier than expected.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported early Friday that Cantor will step down Aug. 18 to make sure constituents have a voice during the "consequential" lame-duck session.

Cantor tells the newspaper he has asked Gov. Terry McAuliffe to call a special election for his district that coincides with the Nov. 4 general election. That would enable his successor to take office immediately.

Cantor's announcement comes hours after he stepped down as House majority leader Thursday. Cantor had previously said he would serve his full term, which would have ended in January.

Cantor lost to Dave Brat, an underfunded, Tea Party-backed opponent, in his Republican primary in June.

Brat issued a statement on Cantor's early resignation from Congress:

"I want to thank Eric for his service to the Seventh District and to the entire Commonwealth. The time one has to sacrifice to be an elected official is enormous, and he has sacrificed a great deal to serve the people. I also want to thank him for his endorsement. I wish Eric and his family the best in their future endeavors."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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