RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - A 25-year-old Republican is taking over the North Carolina House seat previously held by a lawmaker pleaded guilty to cyberstalking his estranged wife.

A spokesman for state House Speaker Tim Moore said Tuesday that Jake Johnson was sworn in after being appointed to serve as the representative for a western North Carolina district that includes Transylvania and Polk counties and part of Henderson County.

The state Republican Party says Johnson became one of the youngest elected officials in state history when at 22 he became a Polk County commissioner.

Johnson replaces 27-year-old Cody Henson, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges last month and resigned.

Henson said he used the wrong methods to try to keep his family together.

Sign up for Daily Newsletters Manage Newsletters

Copyright © 2020 The Washington Times, LLC.