MONTGOMERY, Ala. –Alabama Rep. Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, was selected by his Republican colleagues today as their choice for Speaker of the House in the Alabama House of Representatives.

Republicans hold a 70-33 seat advantage over Democrats in the Alabama House of Representatives, so McCutcheon's confirmation as Alabama's new House Speaker is all but a done deal when the House convenes on Aug. 15 to begin a special session on Gov. Robert Bentley's lottery proposal.

Once McCutcheon's new title as Speaker becomes official, he will fill the role left vacant by former Rep. Mike Hubbard. A Lee County jury convicted Hubbard of 12 felony ethics violations on June 10, automatically removing him from office and stripping his title as Speaker.

McCutcheon has served in the Alabama House of Representatives since 2006, representing District.