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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A 21-year incumbent of the South Carolina House is taking the helm of the powerful Judiciary Committee.

The committee's newly appointed members elected Rep. Greg Delleney as their chairman on Wednesday. The 60-year-old Chester Republican is the longest-serving incumbent on the committee. He had been chairman of Judiciary's constitutional laws subcommittee.

Delleney takes over from former Rep. Jim Harrison, who did not seek re-election after 23 years in the House. Harrison had been judiciary chairman since Republicans took control of the chamber in 1994.

Committees met to elect their leaders after House Speaker Bobby Harrell handed out committee appointments.

Delleney's election was the only change in committee leadership.

The House returned to Columbia for a two-day organizational session this week. The regular session starts Jan. 8.