A Republican lawmaker plans to resign from the House by the end of the year, which will further reduce the minority party’s majority.

Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, a six-term congressman, will depart office by the end of the year due to his wife’s illness, according to reports. Fox News reported, “His resignation would leave an open Republican seat on the House Appropriations and Intelligence committees, reducing the already slim GOP majority to just four seats.”

“Utah law states that the governor must call for a special election in the event of a House vacancy. Once Stewart makes his resignation official, Republican Gov. Spencer Cox will have seven days to set the time for a primary and special election. The law requires those dates to be the same as municipal primary and general elections scheduled for this year unless the state legislature appropriates funds to hold a separate election,” the outlet explained.

“A Republican candidate is heavily favored to fill the vacancy. Stewart represents Utah’s 2nd Congressional District, a reliably GOP constituency in western Utah that stretches from the Salt Lake City metro area to St. George. In the 2022 midterm election, Stewart easily defeated Democratic challenger Nick Mitchell, winning re-election with a landslide 63.4% vote share,” the report continued.

However, until a special election is held, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California) will encounter even more difficulty gaining votes. McCarthy can only afford to lose a maximum of three Republican votes on any given piece of legislation due to the unification of the Democratic opposition.

Fox News added that internal conflicts between hard-line conservatives and moderates have already posed a threat to a Republican border security bill this year, and the current disagreements within the GOP over the debt ceiling deal demonstrate that a number of Republican lawmakers are willing to go against party lines.

Stewart’s retirement will affect not only his own career plans, but also the political landscape of Utah. It was widely believed that he was contemplating a run for the U.S. Senate seat presently held by Senator Mitt Romney, as well as a bid for the governorship.

Utah Rep Chris Stewart to resign from House, shrinking GOP majority https://t.co/MWwahZf4Qq

— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 31, 2023

However, due to his wife’s illness, he will have to place those plans on hold, allowing other ambitious Republicans to pursue those positions, according to the outlet.

Stewart, who served in the United States Air Force and has written books, won his first election in 2012. He collaborated with prominent state resident Elizabeth Smart on a memoir detailing her abduction ordeal.

During the administration of former President Donald Trump, the 62-year-old Stewart was also considered as a candidate for director of national intelligence. The reports stated that little is known about his wife’s condition.

“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. Rep. Jason Chaffetz resigned from office in 2017, stepping away from his role as chairman of the House Oversight Committee and prompting a special election,” Fox News reported.

More on this story via Conservative Brief:

The GOP has held onto a thin majority since retaking the chamber in the November midterms. Then, the party’s lead was padded after an extremely close House race in California was decided, where the GOP candidate managed to eke out a win. CONTINUE READING…