Eric Cantor Says He Will Resign From Congress Earlier Than Expected

Story by the Associated Press; curated by Oliver Darcy.

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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — 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 (https://bit.ly/1puQVLX ) reported early Friday that Cantor says he will step down Aug. 18 to make sure constituents have a voice during the "consequential" lame-duck session.

Former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) speaks while Israeli President Shimon Peres, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden (2ndL) listen during a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, June 26, 2014 in Washington, D.C. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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.

With that, it's time to pass on the @GOPLeader Twitter handle to my good friend Kevin McCarthy, our next Majority Leader!

— Eric Cantor (@RepEricCantor) July 31, 2014

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

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