After securing more than 59 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s election, Judge Wes Allen was officially seated in the Alabama Legislature at noon today.

“It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve the people of Pike County as probate judge,” Allen said. “I’m excited about the new journey. I am looking forward to taking the same values I led with as probate judge to represent the people of Pike and Dale Counties in the Alabama Legislature. I am grateful to the voters for giving me this opportunity.”

Allen served as Pike County’s probate judge for nearly 10 years. In June of 2017, he announced that he would not seek re-election to the county’s highest office and would, instead, run for the seat in the Alabama House of Representatives that was being vacated by retiring Alan Boothe.

Allen won the Republican nomination in June with more than 67 percent of the vote. Last night’s election was the final step in electing him to replace Boothe as the area’s voice in the Alabama State House.

Michael Bunn was elected to replace Judge Allen and was to take office in January. Because Allen is now a member of the Legislature, the Alabama Constitution would not allow him to serve as both Probate Judge and a Legislator simultaneously. The law required him to resign from the Office of Probate Judge upon being elected to the Alabama House of Representatives. Gov. Kay Ivey appointed Bunn to fill the remainder of Allen’s term. Bunn was sworn in by Judge William G. Hightower shortly after noon today.

“I am well aware that Judge Allen has left some very big shoes to fill and I appreciate the people of Pike County and Gov. Ivey for giving me the opportunity to begin to serve immediately,” Bunn said. “I am confident that this will be a seamless transition for the staff and customers of the Pike County Probate Office.”

Judge Bunn’s formal investiture ceremony will be held in the Pike County Courthouse on Tuesday, November 13 at 10:30 a.m.