In a surprise announcement, Republican state Representative Skyler Rude of Walla Walla, said Tuesday that he will resign from office days before the election to start a new job with Democratic Secretary of State Steve Hobbs.

Rude, a moderate Republican, said he will step down October 31 and begin work the next day as Hobbs’ legislative director.

The timing means Rude’s name will be on the ballot for the November 3 election. Until Tuesday, he had been expected to win a fifth term against a Democratic challenger, Derek Sarley.

Rude said in an interview that the job opportunity arose after ballots arrived for the August primary and the offer became final a few days ago. He said he considered and decided against waiting until after the election to tell constituents in the 16th Legislative District which encompasses parts of four counties, Walla Walla, Franklin, Benton and Grant.

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“The timing is difficult given the proximity to the general election. The politically safer decision would be to announce after the election,” he said in a statement. “I entered office committed to acting honestly and transparently, and I’m not going to change that commitment now as I complete my elected service.”

If Rude wins, Republicans will have essentially two vacancies to fill — one to complete the lawmaker’s current term and one that would begin in January when the new two-year legislative term starts.

If Sarley wins, the GOP could appoint someone to serve the final weeks of Rude’s term until the Democrat is sworn in.

Sarley said late Tuesday that even though it had seemed like the incumbent had not been actively campaigning he was “quite surprised” by the news.

Sarley now hopes voters understand that if Rude wins, they will have no say in who is appointed to the job. That’s up to Republican precinct officers and elected officials in four counties.

“I don’t think this is the kind of decision that should be made by county commissioners,” he said.

Rude wants his party to retain control of the seat.

“Voters who want a Republican appointed to replace me should vote for me,” he said. House Republicans, he continued, are “fighting hard to make Washington a more affordable, safer place to live” even as Democrats outnumber them 59-39 in the chamber.

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“An imbalance that large diminishes the voices of moderate Democrats and Republicans alike,” he said. “It gives the most extreme voices outsized influence and reduces the need to build consensus on public policy.”

Rude won his House seat in 2018. He is the assistant floor leader for his caucus and the ranking Republican on the House Education Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations and the Postsecondary Education and Workforce committees.

In addition to leaving office, he will be shutting down a stagecoach tour business he ran in the Walla Walla Valley.

“Serving our district for eight years has been the honor of my life,” he said. “Leaving is bittersweet, but I’m grateful that my next role brings together two things I care deeply about: Washington’s history and the integrity of our elections. The Secretary of State’s office safeguards our state’s historical records and helps administer the elections on which our democracy depends.”