SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Democratic state Rep. Curt Cobb announced Wednesday that he is resigning from his seat in the Legislature to take a judicial position in Bedford County.

Cobb told the Shelbyville Times-Gazette that he has already submitted his letter of resignation and has started in his new position as the clerk of the county's Chancery Court.

A special election will be held to replace Cobb because his resignation comes more than a year before the next general election. Otherwise, a replacement would have been selected by the Bedford County commission.

The election is likely to draw significant attention because of the close division in the House. Republicans in November gained a 50-49 advantage in the lower chamber.

State Election Coordinator Mark Goins said the primary must be held within 55 to 60 days of the governor signing a writ of election. The general election would be held between 100 and 107 days of the writ, he said.

Cobb had been elected four times to the House District 62 seat, including last year when he fended off a challenge by Republican Barbara Blanton by a margin of 10 percentage points.

The seat represents all of Bedford County and parts of Lincoln and Rutherford counties.

In his new job, Cobb handles mostly civil cases in the chancery court. His father, Tyrus Cobb, was the chancellor for 20 years after also holding the state House seat.

Cobb, who is also a real estate agent, said he made the best decision for his family and still gets to serve his county.

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Information from Shelbyville Times-Gazette, http://www.t-g.com

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