Citing personal reasons, Rep. Ed Schrock (R-Va.) announced this afternoon that he is stepping down from Congress at the end of the year.

In a statement released to the Virginian-Pilot and published in its online edition Monday, Schrock cited recent allegations that “have called into question” his ability to represent his constituents.

Schrock did not reveal the nature of the allegations.

“After much thought and prayer, I have come to the realization that these allegations will not allow my campaign to focus on the real issues facing our nation and region,” Schrock said. “Therefore, as of today, I am stepping aside and will no longer be the Republican nominee for Congress in Virginia’s Second Congressional District.”

Schrock is not attending the Republican National Convention in New York City this week and is instead at home in Virginia Beach.

Under state law, Republicans in the 2nd district have until the end of this week to find a ballot replacement for Schrock, who was first elected in 2000 with 52 percent of the vote.

The 2nd district GOP Committee is expected to gather Tuesday night, a meeting that had been arranged before Schrock’s announcement.

The eventual Republican nominee will face Democratic David Ashe, a Marine reservist and veteran of the Iraqi war, in November.

Ashe, 36, served six months in Iraq before leaving active duty in October 2003. As of June 30, he had $55,000 in the bank while Schrock had $752,000 in his campaign account.

The Republican-leaning 2nd district has a heavy military presence and is home to the Navy’s Atlantic fleet and other military facilities.