Congressman Cardoza To Resign Immediately Citing 'Family Needs'

(CBS13) – California Congressman Dennis Cardoza is stepping down from the House of Representatives.

The Democratic Representative from Merced turned in his immediate resignation citing sensitive family needs, according to a press released issued on Tuesday.

"It has been a tremendous honor to have been entrusted to represent my friends and neighbors from California's Central Valley. After over 20 years of serving on commissions, boards, city councils, in the California State Assembly, and, for the last ten years, the U.S. House of Representatives, I look back with great pride on what we have accomplished together," said Cardoza.

Read Cardoza's full statement.

The resignation takes effect at midnight on Wednesday.

Rep. Cardoza is in the middle of his fifth term in Congress representing California's 18th Congressional District. He is married to Dr. Kathleen McLoughlin. They have three children, two of whom were adopted after being in the foster system.