LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Gov. Pete Ricketts has appointed his campaign press secretary to fill a southeast Nebraska legislative seat.

Ricketts on Wednesday announced he had appointed Julie Slama to fill an upcoming vacancy in District 1.

The appointment will be effective Jan. 9, when Sen. Dan Watermeier leaves the position to join the Public Service Commission.

Slama, of Peru, worked as the Republican governor's press secretary during his re-election campaign. She previously was employed as a substitute employee with Auburn Public Schools, working with special needs students.

She graduated from Auburn High School and has a bachelor's degree in political science from Yale University.