A former state senator who represented a portion of the Santa Clarita Valley in Sacramento has been sworn in to a new position on the Board of Equalization, officials announced Tuesday.

George Runner, R-Lancaster, took his oath of office Monday, and will represent the board’s second district, according to a statement.

Runner was elected to the board in November and a special election to fill Runner’s vacant state Senate seat is scheduled for Feb. 15.

The five-member California State Board of Equalization is publicly elected and collects more than $48 billion annually in taxes and fees supporting state and local government services.