PITTSBURGH — A retired Marine officer will fill a Westmoreland County commissioner seat vacated by a Republican woman recently elected to the state legislature.

Judges in the county Common Pleas Court chose on Thursday retired U.S. Marines Col. Charles Anderson to replace Kim Ward. Ward is joining the state Senate.

Anderson will complete the remaining three years of Ward's term. He will be the minority commissioner, serving Westmoreland County along with two Democrats.