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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — After a surprise primary election loss, U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor will resign his seat in the House of Representatives months earlier than expected.
Cantor spokesman Doug Heye said Friday that the congressman will step down Aug. 18 and ask Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe to call a special election to enable his successor to take office immediately.
McAuliffe spokesman Brian Coy says the governor's office is reviewing the request for a special election.
Hours after stepping down as House majority leader Thursday, Cantor told the Richmond Times-Dispatch he would step down instead of serving his full term, which would have ended in January.
Cantor told the newspaper a special election would give the winner seniority rather than waiting until January to take office with the new Congress.
Cantor lost to Dave Brat, an underfunded, tea party-backed opponent, in the June Republican primary.
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