Gov. Butch Otter on Friday appointed former Valley County Commissioner Terry Gestrin, a Donnelly businessman, to complete the final four months of Ken Roberts’ unexpired term District 8a seat in the Idaho House of Representatives.

Otter appointed Roberts, also of Donnelly, to the Idaho Tax Commission on July 12.

“Terry has the background, the experience and the civic virtue to be a great citizen legislator. I’m pleased that he accepted this opportunity to serve,” Otter said in a press release. “All the people of District 8 will be well represented by Terry’s commonsense principles and commitment to the community and to Idaho.”

Gestrin earlier was selected by the Idaho Republican Party’s legislative committee for District 8 to replace Roberts on the November general election ballot against Democrat Karla Miller for a full two-year House term.

Gestrin and his wife Sheri own and operate Long Valley Farm Service, which was started by Gestrin’s parents in 1956. The fourth-generation Valley County native has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Idaho State University. He was a member of the Valley County Commission from 1995 to 2005, and spent 20 years as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician in Donnelly, including 12 years as fire chief.

The Gestrins have two grown daughters and two grandchildren.

“I’m humbled and honored to have been selected by the District 8 legislative committee to replace Ken on the ballot, and now to be selected by the Governor to complete Ken’s term,” Gestrin said. “I look forward to representing District 8, and to representing rural Idaho in the Legislature.”