Steve Helber / AP
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., delivers a concession speech in Richmond, Va., Tuesday, June 10, 2014. Cantor lost in the GOP primary to tea party candidate Dave Brat.
Published Wednesday, June 11, 2014 | 11:19 a.m.
Updated Wednesday, June 11, 2014 | 2:04 p.m.
WASHINGTON — House Republican Leader Eric Cantor says he is resigning his leadership post at the end of next month.
The majority leader is stepping down in the aftermath of his defeat in a primary election to a tea-party backed rival in Virginia.
That clears the way for a Republican shake-up just before the midterm elections this fall, when control of Congress is at stake.
Cantor says he'll serve out the remainder of his term in Congress. And he hopes to continue to be a champion for conservative causes across the nation after he leaves office.
Cantor says he will support Kevin McCarthy of California to replace him as majority leader.
On Tuesday, the Virginia Republican lost a primary election to David Brat.
Associated Press writers Andrew Taylor and Alan Fram contributed to this report.
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