Evan ThomasFormer House Majority Leader Eric Cantor says he plans to resign months ahead of schedule.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports Cantor is leaving the House of Representatives Aug. 18 instead of serving out the rest of his term. He's said to be timing his departure so a special election can be arranged.
"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.”
The announcement came immediately after Cantor gave his final speech on the House floor.
"Walking into this building and walking onto this floor is something that excited me every day since I was first elected to Congress." (Via NBC)
And yes, Cantor was already on his way out. He was defeated during the June primaries — in an election the media paid close attention to. At the time, Cantor's opponent, David Brat, was relatively unknown and poorly funded. (Via CNN, The Washington Post, ABC, The Wall Street Journal)
Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy will step up to take Cantor's place as House majority leader. There will be little fanfare, according to The Wire. (Via C-SPAN)
Despite predictable speculation that Cantor would eventually wind up a lobbyist, he declined to discuss his plans for the future — except to say for him and his wife, they were decisions "best made as private citizens."
