GROVE CITY — Jeffrey Black, a lifelong Grove City resident and borough council vice president, is seeking the Republican nomination for the 8th House District seat held by retiring state Rep. Dick Stevenson.

“I believe my public service as an elected official, service in community organizations like the United Way and YMCA, as well as service to my church as an elder and clerk of session, makes me an ideal candidate for the residents of the 8th District,” he said in a statement.

Stevenson, a Grove City Republican, announced in December that he will not seek re-election. He has been in the House since 2001.

Black said, “As your state representative, I will hold to my values of small and responsible government while voting conservatively on taxes as I have done in Grove City since 2005.”

He will run in the May 20 primary.

After graduating from Geneva College, Black was hired by the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV as a social studies teacher at Frew Mill School on the campus of the New Castle Youth Development Center. Black also provided professional development training to teachers and staff in Butler, Mercer, and Lawrence counties for more than 12 years.

In early 2013 Black became a displaced worker after the New Castle center closed because of state budget cuts.

“I found this door closing actually opened a window for me to follow my dream of representing this part of Pennsylvania in the state Legislature.”

Since becoming a displaced worker, Black increased his volunteer hours. He said he found that small businesses were seeking his advice on ways to improve their operations.

In 2013 Black formed Black Consultants, a small business that helps non-profits and small businesses with operations and logistics.

Black is a member of the Grove City Young Professionals and is a presenter for the Grove City Leadership Program. He volunteers with the Grove City Chamber of Commerce. He attends the North Liberty Presbyterian Church.

Black, who is married, also serves on the Grove City YMCA board, capital campaign committee, and volunteers for the Grove City United Way.

In Butler County, the 8th District covers Brady, Center, Cherry, Clay, Concord, Fairview, Franklin, Jackson, Lancaster, Marion, Mercer, Muddy Creek and Worth townships and Fairview, Harmony, Harrisville, Karns City, Petrolia, Portersville, Prospect, West Liberty, West Sunbury and Zelienople.

It also covers southeastern Mercer County, including Grove City.

Tedd Nesbit, a lawyer in Grove City, also is running for the GOP nomination for this seat.