(Recasts with Blunt announcement)

By Richard Cowan and Thomas Ferraro

WASHINGTON, Nov 6 (Reuters) - A second Republican leader in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday stepped aside following the party's sweeping election defeat.

House Minority Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri, the chamber's number two Republican, said he would not seek reelection to his leadership post in the new Congress that convenes in January, but would keep his seat in the House.

Rep. Adam Putnam of Florida had already said he would not seek another term as Republican conference chairman, the number three position. He too intends to remain in the House.

John Boehner of Ohio, the top House Republican, has said he intends to seek another term as minority leader.

Republicans will elect a new leadership team later this month. So far there are no signs Boehner will be challenged despite widespread discontent among his colleagues over their minority status in Congress.

In a letter to fellow Republicans, Blunt said he had promised himself "to serve only two years as minority whip" if his party failed to regain the majority this year.

In fact, they lost at least 20 seats, as the Democratic majority in the 435-member House expanded to 255. Half dozen races have yet to be decided.

At a news conference, Blunt said he intended to continue representing his district and dedicate his time to working on energy issues.

Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, currently the chief deputy whip, is expected to seek Blunt's leadership spot. Blunt endorsed Cantor, saying he will "do a great job."

Party leaders shape legislative initiatives in Congress and try to help position their rank-and-file members for reelection. As the minority in the House and Senate, they will have significantly less influence on the legislative agenda, often acting as a brake on Democratic initiatives.

House Republicans were divided over the $700 billion economic stimulus bill that became law last month with some members blaming their leaders for a sloppy job handling it.

In the Senate, where Republicans lost at least six seats in the 100-member chamber, the current leadership is expected to be re-installed. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell won another six-year term after a difficult challenge. (Editing by Alan Elsner)

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