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COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin's wife DeAndrea was chosen Wednesday to serve as a judge on the state's Fifth Judicial Circuit.

The state Senate confirmed Mrs. Benjamin for seat one of the court.  The court covers Richland and Kershaw counties.

Benjamin currently serves as a municipal court judge in Columbia.  She's also a partner at her father's law practice, Gist Law Firm.

Benjamin will replace retiring Judge J. Ernest Kinard Jr.