Gov. Jim Justice has appointed a Republican member of the House of Delegates to fill a seat recently vacated by a Republican in the state Senate.

Justice's choice for the District 9 seat representing a swatch of southern West Virginia is Karen Lynne Arvon of Beckley.

State Sen. Jeff Mullins held the seat since 2015 and chaired the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. He resigned Jan. 12 citing business and family obligations.

The district includes Raleigh, Wyoming and part of McDowell counties.

Arvon, a delegate since 2013, is the office manager for MyCare Inc. She is married to Dr. Matthew Arvon and they have three children.

Mullins is a licensed insurance agent and chief executive of Employers' Innovative Network, which handles companies' payrolls, benefits, compliance and human resources issues.