Rep. Greg Walden reacts to Boehner's resignation

Washington, D.C. – Republican House Speaker John Boehner will resign as Speaker and leave his seat at the end of October, NBC News has confirmed.

The news comes as a shock to U.S. Representative Greg Walden, who told NBC5 News in an exclusive interview that the move left him stunned.

Rep. Walden is backing Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, who is next in line to be Speaker of the House; Walden said he has no interest in the position.

“I’ve got a job to do, I enjoy the job I’m doing,” Rep. Walden said. “I have great relationships with those that are running for the other offices, and they’re my friends as well, and we’ll move forward.”

A Boehner aide told NBC News that the Speaker “believes putting members through prolonged leadership turmoil would do irreparable damage to the institution.”

He is proud of what this majority has accomplished, and his Speakership, but for the good of the Republican Conference and the institution, he will resign the Speakership and his seat in Congress, effective October 30.”