Republican Representative Chris Stewart of Utah announced on Wednesday that he would resign from Congress once an orderly transition can be secured.
Stewart, who has served six terms in Congress, cited his wife's illness as the reason for his resignation. His departure would leave a Republican seat open on the House Appropriations and Intelligence committees, reducing the GOP majority to just four seats.
Stewart expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people of Utah in Congress, saying, "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." However, he added that his wife's health concerns have made it necessary for him to retire from Congress.
According to Utah law, the governor must call for a special election in case of a House vacancy. Once Stewart resigns, Republican Governor Spencer Cox will have seven days to set a primary and special election time. A Republican candidate is heavily favored to fill the vacancy. Stewart represents Utah's 2nd Congressional District, a reliably GOP constituency in western Utah stretching from the Salt Lake City metro area to St. George.
Until a special election happens, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will have even less room for error when whipping votes. Assuming united Democratic opposition, McCarthy could only afford to lose three Republican votes on legislation. Intra-party fighting between hard-line conservatives and moderates already threatened to tank a Republican border security bill this year, and current GOP disagreements on the debt ceiling deal demonstrate plenty of Republican lawmakers are willing to buck the party line.
Stewart's retirement would also reshape Utah politics, as he was widely believed to be considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Senator Mitt Romney or the governor's mansion. His wife's illness would put those plans on hold, creating opportunities for other ambitious Republicans.
Stewart, a U.S. Air Force veteran, and author, was first elected in 2012 and collaborated with Utah's Elizabeth Smart on a memoir about her kidnapping. During former President Donald Trump's administration, the 62-year-old Stewart was raised as a potential nominee for U.S. director of national intelligence. Little is known about Stewart's wife's health.
The Salt Lake Tribune first announced Stewart's plans to resign. His resignation would mark the second time a Utah congressman has left office early in the past six years. Former U.S. Representative Jason Chaffetz resigned from office in 2017, stepping away from his role as chairman of the House Oversight Committee and prompting a special election.
Stewart expressed his gratitude to those who have supported and sacrificed to help him and his family, saying, "The fight goes on. God bless all of you, and God bless our nation."
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