Anne Arundel County Council Chairman Edward R. Reilly has been tapped to replace retiring Maryland Sen. Janet Greenip by the county Republican Central Committee.

Reilly, a Crofton resident and insurance agent, told Sun reporter Nicole Fuller that he owed his victory to Greenip, who endorsed him, and to former state Del. David G. Boschert, who bowed out during the voting process and threw his support to Reilly. The committee’s choice will be sent to Gov. Martin O’Malley, who will officially make the appointment.

“On the county council, we do 90 to 95 bills a year,” Reilly said. “In one legislative session, they do a thousand bills. Luckily, they break it down to committees. Luckily, for me, Janet will be available for consulting. I have someone I can rely on.”

Once Reilly resigns from his current post, applicants will be sought and voted on by the council.

The central committee voted 8-5 late Tuesday for Reilly over a number of candidates, including state Del. James J. King, another Anne Arundel Republican looking to move from the people’s house to the more exclusive Senate chamber. A high school teacher and another insurance agent also applied.

Alan Rzepkowski, the county’s Republican Central Committee chairman, said: “All of the candidates were very well-qualified, and it was a tough decision.”