INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The wife of an Indiana state senator will be sworn in as his temporary replacement for the upcoming legislative session while he's on military deployment to Afghanistan.

State Sen. Amanda Banks, a Republican from Columbia City, will be sworn in Tuesday by Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush at a ceremony at the Statehouse.

Jim Banks was unopposed for re-election last month and was sworn in for his new term via Skype from Afghanistan, where he's a Navy Reserve supply corps officer. He is expected to return to Indiana in May.

Amanda Banks is a former policy analyst for the conservative group Focus on the Family and has been an officer of Allen County Right to Life and a host of its radio program.