MISSOULA -- The Legislature convening in a special session Thursday will have a newcomer, the father of a lawmaker unable to be at the Capitol because of military duty.

The Missoula County Commission voted unanimously Wednesday for Tim Furey of Bonner to take the place of his son, Rep. Kevin Furey, D-Missoula. The legislator had recommended his father serve as his temporary replacement.

Kevin Furey, 24, recently was called to active duty with the Army and reported for training at Fort Sill, Okla., this week. He is a member of the Army Reserve and was commissioned a second lieutenant last year. In 2003 he served an eight-month tour of duty in Iraq.

The Legislature's chief lawyer, Greg Petesch, has said the call to active duty does not cause the legislative seat to become vacant. However, Montana law requires appointment of an acting legislator if federal law prevents the elected officeholder from pursing duties of the office, or if he or she requests appointment of an acting officeholder.

Tim Furey is the director of development for Missoula's Opportunity Resources Inc., a nonprofit organization that assists people with disabilities. He has expressed interest in running for the Legislature in 2008.