Posted on 08/01/2014 7:28:09 PM PDT by Din Maker
Now-former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) will resign from Congress on Aug. 18, nearly two months after his surprise GOP primary defeat.
Cantor announced his plans in an interview with his hometown newspaper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the same day he officially stepped down from GOP leadership.
According to Cantor, his decision is timed so that Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) can call a special election to coincide with the regular Nov. 4 general election. “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,” he told the Times-Dispatch.
Long seen as the Speaker-in-waiting, the 14-year incumbent was dealt a surprising defeat at the hands of Randolph-Macon College economics professor Dave Brat (R) on June 10. Cantor has since endorsed Brat, who faces another Randolph-Macon professor, Democrat Jack Trammell, in November in the heavily Republican district.
"I hope he will win," Cantor reiterated in support of Brat.
Earlier Thursday, Cantor bid his colleagues farewell one last time in an emotional speech before he passed the torch to incoming Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
"This is a privilege of a lifetime," he told a packed House chamber.
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What hell is that all about?
No Eric, you got the boot.
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Awww, poor Eric. Butt hurt much?
I don’t understand the need for a special election. Are they going to undermine the nominee?
This has to be some trick to hurt Brat. How can it do that?
I’m gonna take my ball and go home! I didn’t wanna play with you anyway!
For Nov. 5th through Jan. 1st ?? Why not just man up & serve the term out?
It appears to me without the special election if brat wins in Nov. He wouldn’t be seated until Jan. with all the new congressman.
A special election allows brat to immediately become an active House member and will be able to participate and vote on legislation the day after the election.
So we will have a special election for someone to represent us for Nov & Dec 2014. And on the same day, we will have a general election for our rep after Jan 2015?
If he quits the office before the end of his term, does he forfeit his pension?
...but only if Brat runs and wins in the special election. Right?
Yes. He got the boot, but Cantor wasn’t bad on every issue. I’m thrilled he is gone, but he also endorsed Dave Brat. That’s far, far better than some of the RINO sore losers. I’m actually all for party unity and even compromise so long as we’re all moving those goal posts to the right. Compromise shouldn’t mean giving Democrats and RINOs 90% of what they want at the expense of things we conservatives hold dear.
I’ve give Cantor this, he’s is supporting Brat, the guy who defeated him.
Very rare among the GOPe.
First, the election has to be certified. Then, Boehner has to swear him in and seat him. The election won't be certified for at least two weeks.
I agree about Cantor serving out his term. What is he afraid of? Is he afraid that if he had to vote on something controversial that it would taint him for the future?
Is he hoping that they can get a stooge in the seat to vote for the "hard" stuff?
And what's to stop Dave Brat from running for the special election to be seated immediately? Brat could make a perfect argument for sending him to Congress early given that he already won the seat. Wouldn't that be an ironic turnabout?
-PJ
In my opinion, it's a totally wasteful exercise and it could become a big confusion on election day.
I don't understand why Cantor doesn't just serve out his term.
-PJ
Rasta man Boner is next.
$$ K-street is a calling.
How is this supporting Brat? Now there will need to be 2 elections instead of 1. Brat should stay away from the special election. Otherwise, he will have to defend himself against 2 democrats running against him.
Not to mention the cost of the special election.
‘Eric Cantor to resign this month; Dave Brat says he’ll run in proposed special election’
‘”Right now, I’m focused on winning on November 4th,” Brat said in a statement.”If I’m fortunate enough to be chosen by the people of the Seventh District to be their next Congressman, I’ll come to the office on November 5th ready to serve.”’
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