A vacancy committee voted to appoint Neville to the district that covers southern and western Jefferson County.

Neville says he will focus on reducing regulations on businesses and limiting the size of government.

Kopp resigned from his seat last month to spend more time with his four children after his wife, Kimberly, died from cancer in July.

Republicans elected Sen. Bill Cadman to serve as their party's Senate leader.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)