GREER -- Phillip Shoopman, a Greer resident and member of the state Board of Education, announced Friday that he will seek the Republican nomination for the state House seat being vacated by Rep. Lewis Vaughn, R-Taylors.

"It's an opportunity to continue to serve the Greer area in state government and education issues," he said.

Last year, Shoopman was appointed by Gov. Mark Sanford to serve on a school district consolidation committee, and in 2004, he served on a school bus operations committee.

Shoopman said in a prepared statement that Vaughn has served District 18 with "distinction and honor. It will be a major undertaking to fill the shoes he leaves behind."

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Vaughn said Thursday that he wouldn't seek a 10th term. Vaughn, 71, is the longest-serving House member and chairs the Greenville County legislative delegation.

Shoopman, 37, a consulting engineer, serves as vice chairman of public policy for the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce and vice chairman of Greer Community Ministries.

He has chaired the Greenville County Planning Commission and formerly chaired the Regional Air Quality Steering Committee, a three-county mechanism to advise local governments on air quality issues.