Robert Goforth resigned from his position in the House of Representatives. The eastern Kentucky Republican represented the 89th District. In a letter submitted to Governor Andy Beshear on Tuesday, Goforth stated that his resignation was effective “immediately.”

The letter, which you can see here, stated, “Family and personal circumstances demand my full attention and focus.”

Goforth, from East Bernstadt, represented McKee and portions of Berea, London, and Richmond. He easily won reelection this past November. In his resignation letter, Goforth expressed “a profound sense of gratitude to the people of my district for electing me three times to be their state representative.” He ran for governor in 2019 but lost in the primary to incumbent Governor Matt Bevin.

An impeachment committee dismissed a complaint against Goforth in February. Ten complainants submitted the petition, citing a grand jury indictment accusing Goforth of strangulation and assault in a domestic violence case still pending in the courts. The committee found that the Kentucky Constitution does not allow impeachment of a legislator.

A statement from the spokesperson for the House GOP confirmed the letter and added, “We wish him and his family the best as they focus on each other. Statute provides that the governor shall set the date for a special election for legislative vacancies which take place while the Kentucky General Assembly is not in session.”