GOP Rep. Ed Whitfield to resign from Congress next week

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Retiring U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield says he will resign from office next week, triggering a special election that will give his successor a head start in Congress.

The Republican congressman notified Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin with a letter on Monday. Whitfield’s communications director Robert Hankins confirmed the letter and said his resignation will be effective at 6 p.m. on Sept. 6.

First elected in 1994, Whitfield announced his retirement last year in the midst of a House Ethics Committee investigation. The committee ultimately rebuked Whitfield for violating House rules, but said it was unintentional.

Bevin, also a Republican, will call a special election to fulfil the remainder of Whitfield’s term that ends in January. The special election will be Nov. 8, the same day as the general election between Republican James Comer and Democrat Sam Gaskins.