Gov. Haley Barbour has appointed state Sen. Vincent Davis to a chancery judge post representing Adams, Claiborne, Jefferson and Wilkinson counties.

Barbour says Davis, a Democrat from Fayette, will bring integrity and leadership to the bench. Davis replaces Judge Kennie E. Middleton, who died in September.

Davis will resign his Senate seat and a special election will be held to replace him.

Davis has a general law practice in Natchez. He also has served as city attorney for Fayette since March 2004 and is a former assistant district attorney.

Davis has been in the Senate since 2008.