State Rep. Matt Baker quietly left the state House to become the regional director of the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services office in Philadelphia.

According to City & State Baker was sworn into the position two weeks ago.  

“I was two days away from mailing my petitions to seek a 14th term in office when the White House liaison office called me and I had to make a quick decision,” Baker told City & State.

Baker has served as Chairman of the state House Health Committee for four terms.  

In his new role, Baker will help coordinate between the federal, state, and local governments in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.  

State House Speaker Mike Turzai has already set the date of the special election to replace Baker to overlap with the primary election.