VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — City Councilman Aaron Rouse is running for Virginia Beach’s next state Senator from the 22nd District. Rouse will not seek re-election to the City Council this fall.

Rouse announced his campaign on social media Monday afternoon for the newly created district where currently no incumbent state senators live.

The former NFL player was elected to the Virginia Council as an at-large member back in 2018.

“It’s time to elect a new generation of leaders to fight for Virginia Beach families,” said Rouse in a tweet Monday announcing his campaign.

Rouse has already garnered support from federal, state, and local elected officials including U.S. Congressman Donald McEachin, former Delegate Nancy Guy, and Virginia Beach Councilman Guy Tower.

Rouse grew up in Virginia Beach and attended First Colonial High School before graduating from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2007 and later played for the New York Giants and the Arizona Cardinals.

Rouse founded the nonprofit organization Rouse’s House which aims to give local youth tools for education.

Rouse is the second sitting City Council member to announce he is not running for reelection. Current Beach district Councilman Guy Tower announced earlier this year his intent to leave the lawmaking body at the end of the year.