(Columbia-AP) Feb. 10, 2004 - Vincent Sheheen of Camden took the Senate oath Tuesday.

Sheheen resigned from the House Tuesday afternoon and took the District 27 Senate seat held by Senator Don Holland, who died last year. Sheheen says he will try to serve in the same manner as Holland and will continue his efforts on economic development, tax and school funding reform.

The Democrat is the nephew of former House Speaker Bob Sheheen and has served in the House since 2001.

Sheheen has been known lately for plans he's pushed to raise the state's sales tax to pay for a reduction in residential property taxes.

Sheheen beat Republican candidate Steve Kelly with 61 percent of the vote a week ago in a special election. Kelly says he will run against Sheheen again in the November general election.

Holland died from heart failure in October at the age of 75. He served Senate District 27 for more than 30 years.

Updated 1:47pm by Chris Rees