Gov. Robert Bentley today announced he has selected state Attorney General Luther Strange to replace Jeff Sessions in the United States Senate.

Sessions on Wednesday was confirmed as the next U.S. Attorney General by a 52-47 vote and was sworn in by President Donald Trump.

Strange, one of Bentley's six finalists for the job, emerged as a likely favorite on Wednesday.

"This is truly a remarkable time in our state's history," Bentley said in a press release this morning. "Alabama has surely been well represented by Senator Sessions, and I am confident Senator Strange will serve as a fine representative for our people. His leadership on a national level, service as a statewide elected official and long record of taking on tough federal issues are the very qualities that will make him a strong conservative Senator for Alabama."

Strange was also quoted in the statement.

"I am greatly honored and humbled to accept the appointment to Alabama's Senate seat vacated by Senator Jeff Sessions," Strange said. "Senator Sessions' commitment to public service is nearly unparalleled in Alabama history and his departure from the Senate leaves tremendous shoes to fill. I pledge to the people of Alabama to continue the same level of leadership as Jeff Sessions in consistently fighting to protect and advance the conservative values we all care about."

Bentley and Strange will hold a news conference at 9 a.m. today in Montgomery.

In December, Strange announced he planned to run for the seat in 2018.

"Following speculation about my intentions and in response to numerous media inquiries, today I am officially announcing my intention to seek the Senate seat left open by Jeff Sessions' nomination to be our nation's next attorney general," Strange said in a statement at the time.

Strange was first elected to the AG post in 2010 and then reelected in 2014.

The appointment of Strange creates a vacancy at the top of the state's AG office, a post that would be filled by a Bentley appointee.

Bentley had named six people to a shortlist to replace Sessions, including Strange, state Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh; U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt; Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Director Jim Byard; former State Rep. Perry Hooper Jr.; and state Rep. Connie Rowe of Jasper.

The appointment comes four months after Strange asked the Alabama House Judiciary Committee to suspend an investigation into impeachment articles against Bentley because his office was conducting a related investigation.

"I respectfully request that the Committee cease active interviews and investigation until I am able to report to you that the necessary related work of my office has been completed," Strange wrote in a Nov. 3 letter to Judiciary Committee Chairman Mike Jones, who agreed to suspend the proceedings.

Jones said the committee wanted to cooperate with the attorney general's office but will resume its investigation when the request for the suspension is withdrawn.

The impeachment investigation was related to allegations that Bentley had an affair with former political adviser Rebekah Mason and whether state resources were used to facilitate the relationship.

Bentley and Mason have denied having an affair and the governor has denied doing breaking any laws or doing anything to warrant impeachment.

Strange has said he never specifically said his office was investigating the governor.

U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Mobile, released a statement congratulating Strange on the appointment.

"I look forward to working with him to advance policies and legislation important to families and small businesses in southwest Alabama," Byrne said. "Alabama has always had a strong and united Congressional delegation, and I look forward to working with Luther to keep that tradition alive."

Hooper, one of the six finalists, also released a statement this morning, saying he got the news from Bentley on Wednesday night.

"While I was not happy with the result I want to thank the governor for even considering me for the position. It has been an honor and a privilege," Hooper said. "I want to thank God for this opportunity and the many thousands of people that signed petitions, wrote letters and made calls on my behalf to the governor. The faith you placed in me has really touched my heart and I am forever grateful for your support."

U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, said this in a statement this morning:

"I know Luther Strange quite well, having gotten to know him both during campaigns and during his service as Alabama's attorney general. I look forward to working with Luther in the U.S. Senate and will do everything I can to help him be the best senator he can possibly be, both because he is my friend and because that is exactly what Alabama and America need at this critical junction in our history."