HARLAN, Ky. (WYMT) - For the first time in 21 years, Harlan County has a new Commonwealth's Attorney.

Parker Boggs was sworn in on Monday after ousting longtime office-holder Henry Johnson in last year's election.

"The people of Harlan County elected me to do the job," Boggs said. "They were confident in my experience, 25 years of being an attorney here in Harlan. So I look forward to doing a good job here in Harlan County."

Boggs beat Johnson by more than 800 votes in the May 2012 Democratic primary before going on to win the general election unopposed. Johnson served as Harlan County Commonwealth's Attorney for the last 21 years.

"I wish Parker the best," Johnson said. "I hope the position is as satisfying and rewarding for him as it has been for me."

Boggs and his team are anticipating a high number of drug cases.

"I have been doing criminal law here for several years and our criminal dockets are huge...some of the biggest i've seen," said assistant CA Karen Davenport. "There are probably no fewer than one hundred cases every other Thursday. So that's always an issue."

Another issue is not having a full-time circuit judge. A temporary judge has been filling in since Russell Alred was removed in 2011 for ethics violations.

"Regardless of who the judge is, we'll do the job," Boggs said.