Updated

Republican congressman Geoff Davis of Kentucky has resigned, citing a family health issue.

Davis had previously announced he would retire this year from Congress. He says in a statement issued Tuesday that a family health issue has developed recently that needs more of his time.

Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Bill Adkins are running to succeed Davis in November's general election for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District.

Davis is a fiscal and social conservative. Now 53, he has been in the House since 2005. His district stretches along the upper tier of Kentucky from the Louisville suburbs to the West Virginia border.