Ohio Republican Congressman Steve Stivers announced on Twitter that he is resigning his House seat to become the president of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, increasing slightly the Democratic majority in the House, CNN reports.
“Throughout my career in public service I’ve worked to promote policies that drive our economy forward, get folks to work, and put our country’s fiscal house in order,” Stivers said in his statement. “That is why I am looking forward to this new opportunity with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, where I can continue my efforts to support free enterprise and economic growth here in Ohio.”
Stivers is the first GOP Congressman to announce his immediate resignation, although five others have said they will resign at the end of their terms. Stivers has served Ohio’s 15th Congressional District since 2011. The district, which Cook Political Report rates as R +7, has been held by the GOP since 1967, with the exception of one term by Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy, who was served from 2009-2011.