RICHMOND, Va. — After a surprise primary loss, U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor will resign his seat in the House of Representatives months earlier than expected.

Cantor, 51, will step down Aug. 18 and ask Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe to call a special election to enable his successor to take office immediately, Cantor spokesman Doug Heye said Friday.

Hours after stepping down as House majority leader Thursday, Cantor said he would step down instead of serving his full term, which would have ended in January.

Cantor lost to Dave Brat, an underfunded, tea party-backed opponent, in the June Republican primary.