VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WVEC) -- Congressman Scott Rigell is resigning from the Republican Party of Virginia Beach, days after he said he would vote Libertarian Gary Johnson for president rather than for Republican nominee Donald Trump.
The resignation from the local chapter does not mean Rigell is leaving the Republican Party altogether, however.
Rigell represents the Second Congressional District, which includes Accomack and Northampton Counties on the Eastern Shore, and Virginia Beach as well as parts of Norfolk and Hampton.
Rigell's senior advisor, Esmel Meeks, issued the following statement Monday evening:
Scott Rigell is a lifelong Republican and a member of the Republican Party, the same party of Lincoln, Reagan and so many other conservative leaders who supported limited government, fiscal responsibility, a strong national defense and freedom. Faced with the decision for President, in which the traditional choices are between two-lifelong Democrats in Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, his conscience dictates that he votes for a fiscal conservative alternative, Governor Gary Johnson. Because Scott refuses to support his party's current nominee for President, the local committee was expected to revoke Congressman Rigell's membership. Knowing that, Congressman Rigell resigned from the Virginia Beach Republican Party. While he is no longer a member of his local party unit, he remains a proud member of the Republican Party."
Earlier on Monday, The Republican Party of Virginia Beach expressed its disappointment with Rigell's endorsement in a Facebook post.
"Donald Trump is the only candidate who will defeat Hillary Clinton in November and we strongly urge Congressman Rigell to do what he always does, put his country and his Commonwealth first and work with us to defeat Hillary Clinton," the statement read in part.
Over the past 6 years, Congressman Rigell has relied on hundreds of Republican volunteers, Republican donors and... https://t.co/tVLabV3osG
— Republican Party VB (@RPofVB) August 8, 2016
Rigell announced his endorsement of Johnson in an interview Friday with The New York Times. He said in March he would not vote for Trump, telling fellow Republicans in a letter that Trump's judgment, temperament and character point to "a reckless, embarrassing and ultimately dangerous presidency."
Rigell is retiring after six years in office. He is the first member of Congress to announce support for Johnson.
Johnson tweeted on Sunday that he's honored to have Rigell's support.
.@GovBillWeld & I are honored to have @RepScottRigell's support https://t.co/SHOsM95Kql via @nytimes #2016election
— Gov. Gary Johnson (@GovGaryJohnson) August 7, 2016
Republican Rep. Richard Hanna of New York endorsed Hillary Clinton last week. Hanna is also retiring at the end of this term.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.