Eric Cantor set to resign from Congress in August, he says
Former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor announced Thursday he intends to resign from Congress in August following his surprising defeat in the June primary.
In an exclusive interview with his hometown newspaper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Cantor said he would resign his seat in the House of Representatives effective Aug. 18.
“I want to make sure that the constituents in the 7th District will have a voice in what will be a very consequential lame-duck session,” Cantor told the Times-Dispatch.
Cantor made the announcement to the newspaper just hours after he stepped down as House majority leader.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe was asked by Cantor to hold a special election to coincide with the regular election in November for his seat, according to the Times-Dispatch.
Calls to McAuliffe’s spokesman for comment were not immediately returned.
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