Kissing Congressman Tells Eric Cantor: No, I Won’t Resign

Newly-elected Rep. Vance McAllister, R-La. waits for House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio to join him for a ceremonial swearing-in, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Rep. Vance McAllister (R-LA) said on Tuesday that House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) had asked him to resign and, according to McAllister, the response was a very clear “no.”

Cantor had asked his fellow congressman to resign after McAllister was caught on tape kissing a staffer who is not his wife.

On Tuesday, Politico reported reported the meeting had taken place and Cantor confirmed he’d asked McAllister to resign.

Here’s McAllister’s statement:

I did meet with Leader Cantor this morning. He asked me why I would want to put myself through this for the next eight months if I’m not running for reelection. He did ask me to consider resigning, but I respectfully disagree with him and my family is behind my decision. I do not feel it’s in my constituents’ best interest to leave them without representation for the second time in less than a year. My district deserves a voice and a fair election process, not an expensive potential special election that benefits the establishment.

A day earlier, McAllister announced he would not seek re-election this year.

Latest Livewire
Comments
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: