anthony daniels

State Rep. Anthony Daniels has been named minority leader of the Alabama House of Representatives. (AL.com file photo)

State Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, on Wednesday was named minority leader in the state House of Representatives.

Daniels, 34, is the youngest to ever hold the position in modern state history, according to Daniels' office.

Daniels replaces Rep. Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, who announced late last year he would not seek the position again in 2017.

Daniels sponsored two bills last year that became law: The Growler Bill, which allows small brewers to sell their product for off-site consumption, and the 21st Century Manufacturing Act, designed to boost manufacturing and business recruitment by encouraging greater partnership between industry and local governments.

Daniels was first elected to the legislature in 2014 in a newly-created district that emerged through the redistricting process. He is a member of the Rules, Insurance, Commerce and Small Business committees as well as the Madison County delegation committee.

Daniels is a former elementary school teacher who is currently co-owner of a dental practice with his dentist wife, Dr. Teneshia Acklin.

The Huntsville area is now home to the two party leaders of the Alabama House. Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, represents parts of west Huntsville.