Utah Republican reportedly resigning from U.S. House

(Image credit: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) will announce as soon as Wednesday that he is resigning from the House due to ongoing, undisclosed health issues with his wife, The Salt Lake Tribune reported Tuesday. Stewart, 62, plans to leave office before the end of the year, The Associated Press said, while The Washington Post reported he could resign as soon as this week. His absence would shrink the GOP's narrow 222-213 majority in the House if he steps down before Utah holds a special election to replace him.

Gov. Spencer Cox (R) will set the timeline for the special election after Stewart formally announces his resignation. Stewart has represented Utah's sprawling 2nd Congressional District since 2013. His departure would also leave vacancies on the House Appropriations Committee and House Intelligence Committee. Stewart was said to be considering challenging Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), the Tribune reported, and his resignation "will likely scramble that calculation."

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.