Dalton, Ga., attorney Stephen Farrow, a former Democratic state senator who also was chairman of the state ethics commission has been elected to the state Department of Transportation board.

Mr. Farrow was elected by a secret ballot of members of the legislative delegation from the state’s 9th Congressional District.

He will represent the 9th District, filling the post vacated by the resignation of Mike Evans, who was also the board’s chairman.

Mr. Evans, of Cumming, resigned last month after he disclosed a romantic relationship with DOT Commissioner Gena Abraham.

The two announced earlier this month that they are now engaged.

The 13-person Transportation Board oversees and directs the DOT, and members are elected by secret ballot from state lawmakers.

Electing a board member from the western part of the 9th Congressional District was important to many legislators, said Sen. Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga.

Mr. Evans is from Cumming in Forsyth County, and Sen. Mullis said there hasn’t been a board member from the northwestern part of the state in a while.

“We’ve had great representation from our board members (from the eastern part), but it’s very important they’re aware of our needs automatically,” said Sen. Mullis, who is chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.

Mr. Farrow faced three opponents, two of them also from the western part of the district: Dalton businessman Phil Neff, Lookout Mountain City Councilman Ray Seipp and former DOT deputy commissioner Larry Dent of the Gainesville area.

Mr. Neff and Mr. Seipp withdrew after the first secret ballot, and Mr. Farrow won by a “wide margin” against Mr. Dent on the second ballot, said Sen. Mullis, who nominated Mr. Seipp on the first ballot.

For a complete story, see Friday’s Times Free Press.