Beaufort County Council Chairman Weston Newton announced Thursday he would resign his council seat to become a representative in the S.C. House.

As of Dec. 3, Vice Chairman Paul Sommerville will assume the duties of chairman until an election can be held in January to select a new chairman and new vice chairman, according to a news release. Newton has been County Council chairman for 10 years and will fill the newly formed S.C. House District 120 seat, which he won election to Nov. 6. A Republican, he was unopposed in the race for the seat that includes parts of Bluffton. “It’s been an honor and privilege for me to serve the people of Beaufort County on Beaufort County Council,” Newton said. “I have had the opportunity to meet amazing people and make a difference. It’s now time though, to take a new step in my political life. No matter where I am, whether it is here or Columbia, I will always fight for the people of Beaufort County.”