Gov. Nathan Deal has set a June 21 special election to replace state Rep. Hank Huckaby.

The Republican resigned his seat when he became the lone finalist to take over as chancellor of the University System of Georgia.

A Georgia native, Huckaby retired in 2006 as the senior vice president for finance and administration at the University of Georgia. He served as one of Deal's three floor leaders in the House. The Watkinsville Republican would take over a 35-campus system grappling with deep budget cuts.

Secretary of State Brian Kemp will now set qualifying dates for those who want to seek Huckaby's seat representing House District 113, which includes all of Oconee County and portions of Oglethorpe, Clarke and Morgan counties.

Tags: Gov. Nathan Deal, Hank Huckaby