Dan HowellNASHVILLE - Cleveland, Tenn., Republican Dan Howell on Monday will be sworn in early as the new state representative for House District 22, according to the office of House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville.
Howell will fill the nearly two months remaining in the term of former Rep. Eric Watson, R-Cleveland, who was elected Bradley County sheriff on Aug. 7.
Watson did not seek re-election to the House. He resigned his seat Sunday and took office as sheriff on Monday.
Howell won the GOP primary for the open seat in August. He faces no opposition in the Nov. 4 election and is expected to serve in the 109th General Assembly.
Harwell will swear in Howell during a House chamber ceremony set for 1 p.m. CDT.
News report from election night: