Republican Congressman Ed Whitfield Announces Resignation on Short Notice
As the fractured Republican Party works desperately to maintain its majority in both houses of Congress, and build momentum for the November elections, it will be losing one member of the House of Representatives next week.
Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., 73, announced Wednesday that he will be resigning on the day Congress returns after a seven week recess.
Whitfield had previously announced he would retire at the end of his term.
Whitfield officially announced his intention to step down in a letter to Republican Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin. The letter did not state a reason for Whitfield’s decision.
“It has been my honor and privilege to have represented the constituents of the First District of Kentucky in the United States Congress for the last almost 22 years,” Whitfield wrote.
“As you know, I did not seek re-election to Congress this year and have now decided to submit my resignation as the Congressman of the First District of Kentucky, effective 6 p.m., Tuesday, September 6, 2016,” the letter added.
Bevin released a statement in response to Whitfield’s resignation.
“Both personally and on behalf of the Commonwealth, I want to thank Congressman Ed Whitfield for his many years of service to our state and our nation,” Bevin said.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., praised Whitfield.
“It has been an honor working alongside him on a variety of issues, including our support for the workers at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant and for the men and women serving our country stationed at Fort Campbell,” McConnell said.
The House Ethics Committee had been investigating the 11-term congressman to determine whether his wife, who is a lobbyist for the Human Society, had improper access to Whitfield.
Last month, the panel rebuked Whitfield, saying he did take sufficient measures to prevent inappropriate linkages between his staff and wife. However, the committee also ruled that Whitefield did not intentionally break ethics rules.
The election to fill the final weeks of Whitfield’s term will come on the same day as the general election contest to replace him, which pits Republican James Comer against Democrat Sam Gaskins.
House Republicans currently have a majority of 247-186 over Democrats. (For more from the author of “Republican Congressman Ed Whitfield Announces Resignation on Short Notice” please click HERE)
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