Gov. Robert Bentley has appointed Probate Judge Ben Bowden to replace retiring Circuit Judge Ashley McKathan.

Bentley notified Bowden, who won the circuit judge seat in last week’s election, that his appointment would be effective March 17.

“Appointing you to this position comes with great responsibility because you will be making important decision that affect the citizens of Alabama,” Bentley wrote. “Honesty and integrity are two virtues that I prioritize for my administration to exemplify, and I know that you will do the same while in service to our great state.”