FORT RECOVERY, Ohio -- If all goes as planned, Jim Zehringer will resign as Mercer County commissioner to become state representative.

Tuesday in Columbus an Ohio House screening committee sent Zehringer's nomination to the full House Republican Caucus. A vote will soon be scheduled so that Zehringer can be seated by mid-February.

He will replace Keith Faber as state representative of the Ohio 77th House District. Faber was appointed to replace Jim Jordan as state senator. Jordan was elected in November to Congress to replace the now-retired Rep. Mike Oxley.

The 77th district takes in all of Mercer County and portions of Darke and Preble counties.

Steve.Baker@WHIOTV.com