Outgoing U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire has accepted a lobbyist position in Florida and will become vice president of public policy, government and community affairs for a health care provider.

Altmire will leave office in January after serving three terms representing the Fourth District in Congress. That covered southern Butler County.

He lost a close primary battle against fellow Democratic Rep. Mark Critz in April. Critz lost in the November election to Republican Keith Rothfus.

Altmire accepted the position with Florida Blue, the state’s branch operation of the national Blue Cross and Blue Shield organization.

In a press release, Altmire said representing constituents in the Fourth District has been “the highest honor of my life,” but added that it’s time to start a new chapter.

The position is nothing new for Altmire, who previously worked as a health care lobbyist for UPMC before his election in 2006.

He’s also returning to familiar territory by moving to Florida. Altmire graduated and played football at Florida State University and previously served on the staff of a former Florida congressman.

According to the press release, Altmire will be a “key spokesperson for the company’s health care policy efforts.”