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Steve Marshall

(Rob Culpepper | for AL.com)

Longtime Marshall County District Attorney Steve Marshall has been appointed Alabama Attorney General by Gov. Robert Bentley.

Bentley made the announcement late Friday afternoon.

Official Media Release announcing Alabama's Attorney General: https://t.co/XuxEvNoyQw — Governor Robert Bentley (@GovRBentley) February 10, 2017

Marshall, 52, has served as district attorney in Marshall County since 2001.

Marshall will serve the remainder of Strange's term, which is up for re-election in 2018.

He is a past president of the Alabama District Attorney's Association and currently serves as commission chairman of the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center. He switched from the Democratic to the Republican Party in 2011.

Marshall replaces Luther Strange, whom Bentley appointed to the U.S. Senate on Thursday.

Steve Marshall, left, looks on as Gov. Robert Bentley formally appoints him as Alabama Attorney General on Friday. (Alabama Governor's Office photo)

"Steve is a well-respected District Attorney with impeccable credentials and strong conservative values," Bentley said in making the announcement. "I know he will be a great Attorney General who will uphold the laws of this state and serve the people of Alabama with fairness. Steve has been instrumental in key legislation to protect Alabamians when it comes to opioid abuse, and I know he will continue to uphold the law as he serves as the state's top law enforcement official."

Marshall was a quick selection to be named attorney general. Bentley said he interviewed seven candidates in addition to Marshall over the past two days. Those who interviewed: state school board member Mary Scott Hunter, Deputy Alabama Attorney General Alice Martin, Pickens, Lamar and Fayette counties District Attorney Chris McCool, former state Sen. Bryan Taylor, state Sen. Cam Ward, state Sen. Tom Whatley and state Sen. Phil Williams.

Those interviews came on the heels of Bentley accompanying Strange to Washington on Thursday to be sworn in as senator replacing Jeff Sessions, who was confirmed earlier this week as U.S. Attorney General.

Steve Marshall. (Alabama Attorney General's office photo)

Marshall was considered an early favorite for the job when Strange's appointment to the Senate began to leak on Wednesday night. Politico reported that Marshall was expected to get the job.

"It is a great honor to be named Attorney General, and I am thankful to Gov. Bentley for the opportunity to serve the people of Alabama," Marshall said in Bentley's announcement. "The time spent working alongside law enforcement for the last 20 years has been a remarkable privilege.

"As Attorney General, we will continue to support their efforts to keep Alabamians safe and free from violent crime."

Before becoming district attorney in Marshall County, he formed the law firm McLaughlin & Marshall. According to Bentley's announcement, Marshall also served as a district representative for Alabama and Georgia to the American Bar Association and was a member of the Alabama Young Lawyers Executive Committee.

While practicing in Marshall County, he served as a legal analyst for the Alabama House of Representatives for several legislative sessions. During that time he was the prosecutor for the Arab and Albertville municipal courts and served as municipal attorney for Arab.

Marshall received votes of confidence from AG finalists Bryan Taylor and Phil Williams.

"I wish Mr. Marshall great success and will do everything I can to help him carry out his responsibilities to uphold the Rule of Law, protect Alabama's citizens, and keep government accountable to the people we serve," Taylor, now an assistant attorney general and general counsel for the state finance department, said in a statement.

Williams said he had never met Marshall but wished him the best.

"He's taking on a wide, broad, encompassing job at a critical time," Williams said. "He has my support."

Barry Matson, executive director of the Alabama District Attorneys Association, said Marshall's appointment marks a good day for the "rule of law, justice and victims of crime in Alabama."

"Steve Marshall, as district attorney, was an incredible prosecutor who understands that a prosecutor'ss oath is to firmly seek justice, tempered with fairness and mercy for every citizen," Matson said.

"It's also important to know that Steve Marshall is a good man, perhaps one of the best men I have ever known."

Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, who interviewed for the job, said Marshall was a good choice.

"I think he'll do a great job," Ward said. "He's got a good record as a prosecutor in north Alabama. I look forward to working with him as chairman of the Judiciary Committee."

Darlene Hutchinson, a longtime crime victims' advocate who has worked with Marshall, applauded his appointment.

"Alabama is so fortunate to have a man of Steve Marshall's character and intellect serving as our state's Attorney General," Hutchinson said. "When a victim is first impacted by crime - whether it's a violent offense or a property crime - they often feel lost, confused, defeated, beaten down, and rarely do they know where to turn or what to do next. It is so critical to have champions in place - in public office - who are standing in the gap and administering to the needs of victims.

"Governor Bentley has made an exceptional appointment in selecting Steve Marshall as Alabama's top prosecutor."

I am excited to welcome my friend Steve Marshall to Montgomery as Alabama's 50th Attorney General! Steve is a man of character & integrity! pic.twitter.com/pa3ESza8RY — John Merrill (@JohnHMerrill) February 11, 2017

Marshall was born in Atmore in Escambia County near Mobile but his family moved throughout his childhood to several southern states.

He received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina, then graduated in the top 10 percent of his class from the University of Alabama School of Law.

After working for private law firms, including the one he founded in Guntersville, Marshall was appointed district attorney of Marshall County at the age of 36 -- making him the second-youngest DA in the state. He has been re-elected three times, each of those elections unopposed.

As district attorney, Marshall founded the Marshall County Major Crimes Unit and the Marshall County Computer Forensics Lab. He also created the Marshall County Crystal Meth Task Force, made up of community leaders to brainstorm and help combat crystal meth.

Beyond his legal career, Marshall worked as campaign chair for the United Way of Marshall County from 2009-14, helping to raise more than $4 million. He also started a mentoring program designed to involve successful adults in the lives of at-risk children.

He is an elder at Lifepoint Church in Albertville and part of a mission trip to India and last year participated in an extended Bible study trip, which included a visit to Israel.

He and his wife, Bridgette, live in Albertville. Their daughter, Faith, is attending Snead State Community College in Boaz and plans to attend Jacksonville State University in the fall.

AL.com reporters Mike Cason and Kent Faulk contributed to this report.