Faulkner County Judge Preston Scroggin will resign the post he was recently re-elected to on Thursday, Jan. 31 and accept an invitation by Gov. Mike Beebe to become the Director of the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission.

County Attorney Allen Dodson confirmed the invitation by Beebe to Scroggin Thursday morning.

"He will resign as county judge effective at 11:59 p.m. (Thursday, Jan. 31)," Dodson said. "The governor has extended an invitation, and Preston will accept it."

A special meeting has been called for the quorum court for Jan. 31, and the court will be asked to declare a vacancy and vote to appoint a new county judge for the remainder of Scroggin's term. Scroggin won re-election during the General Election.

Beebe's office confirmed the appointment in an email, and Lt. Gov. Mark Darr expressed his confidence in the appointment.

"Preston Scroggin is an upstanding man who I am pleased to call my friend," Darr said. "Governor Beebe could not have made a better choice in appointing him as Director of the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission. He has served this state well as a County Judge and as a former State Representative. I know Preston will go over and beyond the call of duty as he has done in every position he has served."