Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) announced Monday that he will resign from the House on Feb. 28 in order to focus on his gubernatorial bid.

The Congressman announced last month that he would be leaving early but he did not say exactly when. The move sets up an all-party special election to fill his 1st district seat.

“Since announcing my intentions, I have consulted closely with the people I have worked with during my 19 years in Congress, including members of the Hawaii congressional delegation, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and the chairmen of two of my committees,” Abercrombie said in a statement. “I can now set the effective date of my resignation for February 28, 2010, which will enable state elections officials to plan for a timely and cost-effective special election for the First Congressional District to select a successor who will carry on the work of the people.”

Hawaii election law calls for a special election to be held at least 70 days after the seat becomes vacant.