Issaquah City Councilmember Jennifer Sutton will resign from office to take a position with the U.S. Foreign Service.

Sutton tearfully announced Tuesday night she had accepted the position with the United States government’s diplomatic branch.

“It has definitely been a pleasure to be here and I’m very sorry my tenure has been so short, but I’m also super-excited,” she said.

“We are super-excited for you,” Council President Stacy Goodman said. “The United States is very lucky to have you serving in that capacity and it’s so bittersweet, really, that we only had you … here for such a short time.”

Sutton will leave her position at the end of March, a little more than three months after she was sworn into office. Sutton ran unopposed for Position No. 2 on the council after Nina Milligan announced in early 2015 that she would not seek reelection.

The Foreign Service is responsible for 265 diplomatic missions on behalf of the United States government, as overseen by the Secretary of State. Sutton has previously served on Issaquah’s Sister Cities Commission, handling relations with Chefchaouen, Morocco, has worked as a political consultant and holds a masters degree in public policy.

The City Council will begin the process of appointing Sutton’s replacement once the seat opens March 31.