Cantor To Resign As Majority Leader

The biggest upset of the year just got even more upset-y.

Eric Cantor, the second-ranking Republican in the House, will step down from his post as majority leader after losing his primary bid Tuesday night, sources tell NBC News. Aides say they expect Cantor to tell his colleagues he will resign from the position at a meeting of House Republicans at 4 p.m. ET. The decision, first reported by the Washington Post, is sure to send shockwaves through Capitol Hill as members of the conservative and establishment wings of the Republican Party jockey to fill the influential post. Cantor had previously been discussed as a potential successor to Boehner if the current speaker stepped down.

Leading the buzz to replace Cantor is Texas Rep. Pete Sessions.