Stanly County may see its new representative move on to a new position quicker than expected.

Ken Goodman, who represents N.C. House District 66, which covers Richmond, Montgomery and parts of Stanly, has been appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper for a position on the North Carolina Industrial Commission.

The General Assembly is expected to vote on the appointment this week.

The commission, Goodman said, hears workman’s compensation claims, tort claims for job related issues, death benefits for first responders, compensation for child vaccine-related injuries and claims by persons wrongly accused of felonies.

“We handle a lot of serious business for the state,” Goodman said.

“It’s just a different way to serve the state. I didn’t seek this. Some people came to me and asked if I would serve and I said I would,” he said.

The appointment is for six years and he would be part of a six-member commission.

“It’s a good time to make a transition to something else,” said Goodman, who was just elected to his fifth term in the state legislature last November.

While Goodman said he would have kept his options open about seeking re-election, he said he “probably would not have run.”

“I don’t think you [should] stay forever,” he said.

Legislative redistricting led to four precincts of Stanly joining Montgomery and Richmond in the new makeup of District 66. It previously included portions of Hoke, Montgomery, Richmond, Robeson and Scotland counties.

Goodman, a Rockingham resident, lost Stanly in November’s General Election, but won the district by more than 1,000 votes.

If confirmed for the appointment, the Democratic parties in each county of District 66 would make recommendations for his replacement. The governor would then appoint someone from those recommendations.