After a 5-hour discussion state lawmakers elected Ricardo Ivan Carpio as the new Attorney General.

The official succeeds Guillermo Ruiz, who resigned last month after being elected in 2019.

Assembly members started the meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to hold hearings with Governor Marina Avila nominees.

The list of candidates submitted by the governor’s office included Rafael Orozco and Alejandro López.

Originally, Carpio was nominated by Gov. Avila to become Secretary of Public Safety.

However, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador suggested selecting a military official, Gov. Avila previously said.

Weeks ago lawmakers modified the Attorney General’s office law in order to allow Carpio to lead the agency.

In Tuesday’s meeting 21 lawmakers voted for Carpio as Attorney General.