GOP Rep to Quit, Reducing Republican Majority.

A GOP congressman announced on May 31 that he will resign, a move that will reduce the party’s majority in the House of Representatives.

“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. 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,”

Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) said in a statement.

Stewart, 62, was first elected in 2012 and won reelection in 2022 with 63 percent of the vote. Before entering Congress, he was a pilot in the Air Force and later became a businessman and an author, including a collaboration with Elizabeth Smart, who was kidnapped from her home in Salt Lake City and held captive for months before being rescued.

Stewart’s resignation is due to his wife’s health concerns, which were not detailed in the announcement.

“Utah is losing a dedicated public servant who went to work every day for his district and our nation, and he’ll be sorely missed,”

added Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah).

Colleagues Wish Stewart Well

Colleagues wished Stewart well, including Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), who said:

“Congressman Stewart has dutifully served our state and Utahns in the Second Congressional District for over a decade. A former Air Force pilot, Chris has consistently worked to safeguard the role Utah plays in our national defense. Ann and I are praying for the Stewart family.”

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) said Stewart “has a clear record of getting things done” and that “Congress is losing a great one.”

Majority Will Shrink

Republicans flipped a number of seats in the 2022 midterms, gaining control of the House after being in the minority for two years. The GOP currently holds 222 seats, which will go down to 221 after Stewart resigns, making it more difficult to pass legislation.

Republicans expect to ultimately hold on to the seat, which is situated in a red district. Democrats have 213 seats in the lower chamber and remain in control of the Senate, with 51 seats. Republicans hold 49.

What’s Next

Under a new election law in Utah, Republican Gov. Spencer Cox has to, within seven days of the seat becoming vacant, issue a schedule for a primary and general special congressional election for the vacancy.

The primary has to be held on the same date as a previously scheduled municipal general election, presidential primary election, regular primary election, or regular general election. The general election also has to align with one of those types of previously scheduled elections.

A municipal primary election is scheduled for August 2022, and the general election is set for November 2022.