WASHINGTON — Republican Trent Kelly of Mississippi has become the newest member of the House.
With his family looking on from the gallery, Kelly took the oath of office Tuesday evening. He had a ceremonial swearing-in Monday in Tupelo.
Kelly defeated Democrat Walter Zinn in a June 2 special-election runoff.
He will serve most of a two-year term that Republican Alan Nunnelee started in January. The 56-year-old Nunnelee died of brain cancer in February.
Kelly is a 49-year-old military veteran and was district attorney for seven counties.
He was elected in northern Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District.
The House now has 246 Republicans, 188 Democrats and one vacancy.
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