J. Michael Davisson, the oldest son of former Indiana House District 73 Steve Davisson, will replace his father after a party caucus at the Indiana State Capitol, located at 200 W. Washington St., on Thursday.

“Congratulations to J. Davisson on his unanimous caucus victory tonight,” said Indiana Republican Party Chairman Kyle Hupfer in a news release. “I can think of no one better to complete the late Steve Davisson’s term than J. Hoosiers in the 73rd District can expect the legacy of servant leadership Steve established to be seamlessly continued by their new State Representative, J. Davisson.”

On Sept. 19, Steve Davisson died after a lengthy battle with cancer. The Salem pharmacist was elected in 2010 and in the middle of his sixth two-year term.

Davisson will fill the rest of his father’s remaining term through November 2022. The next general election will be use the redrawn legislative maps.

In addition to Washington County, House District 73 includes Carr, Driftwood and Grassy Fork townships and part of Brownstown Township in Jackson County and parts of four other counties: Clark, Harrison, Lawrence and Orange.

For the new 2022 maps, House District 73 will not include any of Jackson County, with the county being served by House District 69 instead with Carr Township being placed in District 65 and Owen, Salt Creek, and Pershing Townshps being placed in District 62.

J. Davisson, 39, is a lifelong resident of Salem, where he is raising his two children after having lost his wife to cancer earlier this year. He graduated from Salem High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University.