HARRISBURG, Pa.—A Republican Party activist from central Pennsylvania who lost a state Senate race last year is House Speaker Sam Smith's pick to join the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

Smith announced Tuesday he had selected Dauphin County lawyer John McNally III to a two-year term on the seven-member board. The salary is $145,000 a year, and he can be reappointed twice.

McNally was defeated in the fall election by Democrat Rob Teplitz.

A married father of three, McNally attended Penn State and Dickinson School of Law.

He's taking the seat held most recently by Gary Sojka, a former Bucknell University president who finished three terms on the board.