The Republican candidate for Arizona’s new congressional district has resigned his town council seat. 

Vernon Parker won the August 28 Republican primary for the newly created district 9, which covers parts of Ahwatukee, Chandler, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe. Parker will face former State Senator Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat, in November’s general election.

Parker was elected to the Paradise Valley Town Council earlier this year for a four year term. Friday, he stepped down from the council to focus on his congressional campaign. The PV town clerk says the council will appoint someone to fill Parker’s old post through 2014, when another election will be held.

Parker previously served as mayor of Paradise Valley from 2008 to 2010.