Utah GOP Rep. Stewart announces resignation

Utah Republican Rep. Chris Stewart on Wednesday announced that he will resign from his position in the House but did not specify when he would leave the lower chamber.

The conservative lawmaker, who has served since 2013, pointed to his wife's ongoing health issues as motivating his decision to leave office.

"It has been one of the great honors of my life to serve the good people of Utah in Congress. My wife and I have made so many dear friends and memories throughout our journey," Stewart said, according to The Hill. "I can say with pride that I have been an effective leader for my beloved home state, and I’m honored to have played an important role in guiding our nation through some troubled times."

"But my wife’s health concerns have made it necessary that I retire from Congress after an orderly transition can be ensured," he concluded. "My family and I have been very blessed by this experience. Thank you to all those who have supported and sacrificed to help us. The fight goes on. God bless all of you, and God bless our nation."

His successor will be decided via special election. The 2nd Congressional District that Stewart represents includes the state's entire western border and roughly half of its southern frontier. The region is reliably Republican.

Stewart's departure is unlikely to upset the narrow Republican majority in the chamber given that Democratic Rhode Island Rep. David Cicilline is planning to leave Congress on June 1 to assume leadership of the Rhode Island Foundation, per The Hill. 

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.