Republican Billy Hewes III of Gulfport has been elected to the No. 2 leadership job in the Senate.

Senators unanimously elected Hewes as president pro tempore.

Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck swore in Hewes after the vote Tuesday, the opening day of the 2008 legislative session.

The 46-year-old Hewes has been in the Senate since 1992. He is in the insurance and real estate business.

The president pro tempore presides when the lieutenant governor is absent. Hewes also will become chairman of the Senate Rules Committee.

The new lieutenant governor, Republican Phil Bryant, will be sworn in Thursday. He supported Hewes for the leadership job.