Republican state Representative David Standridge of Hayden has been elected chairman of the Rural Caucus in the Alabama House of Representatives.
Standridge says the bipartisan group works to protect rural communities and make sure that necessary services are available, including roads, medical care and high-speed Internet.
Democratic Representative Johnny Mack Morrow of Red Bay is the group's vice chairman. Republican Representative Randall Shedd of Fairview is treasurer, and Democratic Representative Pebblin Warren of Tuskegee is secretary.
Standridge is a former Blount County probate judge. He was elected to the House in a special election in 2012 and won re-election in November without opposition.