Home » Rep. Ed Whitfield to resign, effective Sept. 6

Rep. Ed Whitfield to resign, effective Sept. 6

Rep. Ed Whitfield
Rep. Ed Whitfield

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 31, 2016) — Rep. Ed Whitfield, a Republican from Hopkinsville, notified Gov. Matt Bevin on Monday that he will resign next week, setting up a special election to fill his position for the remainder of his term, which ends in January.

Whitfield, who represents the 1st District, had announced last year that he would retire and is not seeking re-election. His resignation is effective Sept. 6. He is 73. He has represented the 1st District since 1995.

Bevin said in a statement that he “will issue a proclamation declaring that the special election to fill this vacancy will be held on the same date and time as the General Election” on Nov. 8. James Comer (R) and Samuel Gaskins (D) already are on the General Election ballot as candidates to represent the 1st District in Western Kentucky to replace Whitfield.

“Both personally and on behalf of the commonwealth, I want to thank Congressman Ed Whitfield for his many years of service to our state and our nation,” Bevin said. “He has served the people of Kentucky’s first district admirably, and we wish him all the very best in the years ahead.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement: “For more than two decades, Congressman Ed Whitfield has served the people of Kentucky’s First District with distinction. During his tenure in Congress, Ed has fought hard for the people of Western Kentucky and it has been an honor working alongside him on a variety of issues, including our support for the workers at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant and for the men and women serving our country stationed at Fort Campbell. I am thankful for our many years of friendship, and Elaine and I extend every best wish to Ed, Connie and the entire Whitfield family in the years ahead.”